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Alien Darlings #1

Alien Dragon

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I'm on the last ship out.

I don't think I'm going to make it, but I do. Earth is dying and there's only one way I can possibly survive: fight for a spot on the dragon planet of Taneyemm.

They don't want humans there.

They don't like us.

They don't know us.

But when I step foot on the ship bound for Taneyemm, I know it's my last hope. I'll do anything I have to survive.

I'll do whatever it takes.

When I finally reach my destination and I see the alien dragons for the first time, I realize I'm in way over my head.

And I don't know if my heart is ready for this.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2016

103 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Sophie Stern

254 books273 followers
Sophie Stern writes contemporary and paranormal romance <3 Visit her on Facebook for frequent updates!

http://facebook.com/sexysophiestern

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5 stars
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63 (26%)
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29 (12%)
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18 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
2,157 reviews19 followers
January 16, 2018
Earth is dying, there's been a bunch of wars and basically there's no hope. After her father dies Riley manages to get a spot on an alien ship. She soon finds out they are going to a planet of dragon shifters who will by the girls for whatever suits them. She is bought by the king, treated horribly, but of course he doesn't mean it, a minor kidnapping event and then all is well.

This started out kind of interesting and then there was just no more story, so that was annoying. I think what put me over the edge was Riley's relationship with the king...he was aeful and she hated him and then literally all of a sudden they are going on romantic little rendezvous'. It just didn't come together for me.
826 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2016
So...I liked this...but I didn't. I felt that parts of the book the writing was really good. Great detail, description and background. About...1/2 (maybe a little sooner) of the way through the book it tanked and it became one dimensional for the characters.

When they first meet he's an asshole. Insults her. Spanks her. Then puts her in with the maids. Then he decides that he has to have her and can't live without her. She is just as annoying. She started off strong then became whiny and annoying. the whole "whoa is me" "he doesn't love me (after only knowing him for a day)". Then she whines to him at one point. Just. Blech.

When the girls are kidnapped, the author made it seems like they were missing for more than one day, however they were only missing for a few hours. Not even long enough for the party they were attending to be over by the time they are rescued. When they are finally rescued what does Zeke do? Tie her up (again) and has sex with her. He just found her bound and in a soiled dress and he binds her and f****s her. I get that he likes control, but she just came out of an intense situation and she is afraid and what does he do? bathe her and tie her up to have sex. I just can't get over how annoyed that made me feel when I read that. Then he goes on to say how much he loves her and how he has always wanted her form the moment he saw her in the hallway and blah blah blah. Basically the ending just fell a part and I hated it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily Lindsey.
Author 4 books21 followers
October 3, 2021
Layers of good stuff, an excellent read

Dystopian worlds are difficult to get right, but Riley's world is scarily realistic. I felt the despair, depression, and abject hopelessness that filled her existence. I enjoyed reading every part of this book. Every good book has twists, and they are best when they are unexpected. The giant one in this book was the epitome of a classic O'Henry plot device. I did not see it coming at all! The relationship between Riley and Zeke took a while to get serious but it was a good build-up. The sexual situations were steamy and often unexpected but completely hot and easily some of the best parts to read. The King seemed like a twisted perve, but he was blazing hot. I didn't know where his head was at concerning Riley, but that was a good part of his allure. The action flowed smoothly and there was a definite separation between where she came from and where she ended up. Nice work, that. I loved so many elements of this story that I am just all over the place, like a kid in a cake shop. The whole book was fun to read, and I wanted it to continue going but hopefully it will continue with Danes story. I sure hope so. Read this book!
162 reviews
January 9, 2020
I didn’t like the King at first but all was revealed towards the end! Riley was great. She was brave and selfless. Leaving earth behind! Great read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sydney M Neblett.
2,661 reviews26 followers
July 12, 2021
The truth will be revealed
The author really stretched her writing muscles with this story. This book had a fantastic beginning, but then I wasn’t sure if we were going to get a HEA. The king was not my favorite character when we first met him, but I’m so glad I hung on until the end! The author revealed so many facets of the king’s personality and really brought home an amazing HEA. This book is fascinating and kept me enthralled until the very end. I can’t wait to see what the author brings my way next.
Profile Image for Rose Bassett.
343 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2020
I have got to say that this is one of the first books that I have read by Sophie Stern, and I absolutely love her books! One of the many things that I have found about the books that I have read in the past couple of days is that she creates her fantastic worlds! If Earth is in one of her stories, it is a different world, one on the brink of destruction. The shifters are different, the characters are very well developed. You don't just get a romance, you get adventure, full range of emotions, suspense and science fiction all rolled into one.

In this story, Earth has been in many interplanetary wars and is now dying. Most of the people have died, most of the buildings and infrastructures have collapsed. The planet is basically dying and the few remaining humans still there are dying too. There is no food, no plant life, no animal life, polluted air, and water. Riley has had to care for each of her parents until her father just passed away. She had been away to get some herbs to ease his symptoms, only to come to their shack in the woods to find him dead. She just takes off back towards town, not knowing what to do when she sees some lights outside of town where the spaceships used to land to bring them food or to take passengers to other worlds for outrageous fees. When she overhears a couple of alien males talking about how they are short one female that they won't get a bonus, she walks up to them and offers to be the missing female. She doesn't really care what happens. She knows that if she stays on Earth, she will only prolong her own death. She agrees to go with them and then is informed that it is a four-year voyage and she can't be put into cryo. The good news is that they have the room and rations for her and because of her unusual status, she will have four years of tutoring to enable her gets the best shot of a good life on the new planet. This planet doesn't really care for humans. You can be there if you are a worker, as a household slave or pet. Otherwise, humans are either killed or sent to another planet to be sold as a slave to pretty bad situations.

The King must take a wife by the time he is 35 or he looses his thrown. He doesn't want a queen, he enjoys the many concubines he has, and he has a very high libido. Of course, the King has to be drop-dead gorgeous, just like all the other males on this planet. On top of it all, they are dragon shifters, which means they have enhanced senses of smell, and they can easily smell when a woman is excited. When the King's agent, Lee, buys Riley for him, the first thing out of his mouth is that she is fat and to put her on a diet. He knows just how to push her buttons. Then on top of pushing her away and making her a household slave, he has her put in the servant room in his personal suite so she can personally wait on him after he has entertained his concubines. He wants her to attend every ball because she is his human slave. When his best friend, um, takes care of her needs, he kind of blows a gasket She is still his human virgin, which would be perfect to be his queen, but he holds her at arm's length and makes sure that she despises him.

There are twists and turns and intrigue and kidnapping involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
168 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2020
Riley begins this journey trapped on a dying earth. She has reached the point of utter desolation and hopelessness. The world lives in utter poverty not yet seen in the Western world. But chance leaves her on a ship headed for a new planet for four years with a delightful crew. They spend those four years teaching her all their is to know about the culture and language, and groom her to be the consort of the king, whom they are certain will be completely taken with her. Sadly, we don't learn as much about this culture as Riley does, but we do know that it is secretive, erratic and temperamental.

But when she arrives at the king's residence, she finds it is triply so in the palace. The king is capricious, erratic, and completely contemptible. Riley, and the reader, are jolted one way and then another during random seductive and tender moments he has with Riley. For the most part, I'd like to push him out a window. And while he may have reasons for his disgusting and hateful treatment of Riley, he's lucky she didn't wash her hands of him.

But besides the king, Riley meets a cast of friends and other colorful characters. Of course, with standard palace intrigue, not all of them are as likable as they may seem, and Riley finds herself playing the role of spy, protector, and victim all at once.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.5k reviews49 followers
September 5, 2020
Will she be his Queen or just a servant to his will

Alien Dragon is a bit different from the previous Sophie Stern books I have read as the PNR also includes a real dystopian theme paired with it. I am not a real fan of this theme but thought I would see what Sophie did with the story. The story is about Riley, a young human women who is trying to survive after leaving a dying Earth and ending up on another planet where she is sold. Well the good and bad news is that she ends up as the potential mate to the alien King, who is also a dragon shifter. He does not want a wife but he must be married before he turns thirty-five or he will lose the throne. So he takes her but then puts her to work as a servant and things get into a strange mix of he doesn't want her but he doesn't want anyone else to want her either.
I am still not sure about the book and whether I liked it or not. There were things that I did enjoy but others that I did not so much. So for now I am coming down in the middle. The book is well written and does have an interesting story-line and a couple nicely developed characters.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Profile Image for Debbie.
857 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2021
A young woman struggling to survive while caring for her father, her mother already gone. Only to experience their untimely deaths in an apocalyptic world. A world with no future, only death and starvation, confusion and fear. Fear of what lies ahead with only a brutal end in sight, eventually darkness. And then...an unexpected light, with incomplete and varied knowledge of what truly lies at the end, a civilization not totally accepting of humans. but better than what lies ahead of her now? But what is at the end of this long, confusing journey? A better life? A possible future acceptance by a different civilization? A world with less struggles and a possibility of even a minute feeling of happiness? No matter, it is at least more than what sits in front of her now. Is this possibly a fraction of unexpected hope or a longer road to demise? Only time will tell. It's a journey she has no other choice but to take. A journey where fear connot be her friend. Determination and strength must be her new traveling companions. A journey of new battles, new choices and a new world. Only time will tell and time is all she has. A fantastic book from Sophie Stern, I am happy to recommend.
Profile Image for Leslie Sanchez.
1,774 reviews2 followers
February 11, 2020
Riley is saved from death on the last ship to pick up survivors from Earth. She is being transported to another planet with other females from Earth. Funny part is that all the other women are placed into a stasis while they make the four year trip and Riley will be awake the whole time. It is really lucky for her because she will have the advantage of learning the traditions, language and basically all the skills to be the most desired female offered. She is bought by the King's agent but he refuses her when he meets her. This is full of crazy dragons, deception, a secret desire and a rebellion. Riley is kidnapped with the princess on her coming of age birthday and faces the betrayal of one of the few people she considered a friend. The King, Zeke, runs hot and cold with Riley, but he has his reasons. I have read several of this author's books and I always have those satisfying feelings that all is well in whatever world we are in at the moment. I requested an advanced reader copy from Booksprout and am under no obligation to leave this review.
3,221 reviews25 followers
June 15, 2021
Riley hears the aliens saying they were one girl short and offer to replace her.
Riley returns to the shack she has lived in since the war that devastated the Earth to finds her father has died and distraught she walks away. Some time later she sees light and goes to investigate only to find a Taneyemm ship then she hears voices. They are saying that one of the girls had backed out so they were now one girls short so she steps forward and offers herself as a replacement. Thinking they were one short the doctor had used the last of the chemical for the cyro sleep on one of the crew who was having problems with the time the journey takes which meant Riley would be awake for the four year trip. During the trip members of the crew educated her on her new life and the language. When she arrives they expect that she will be bought by the King due to the fact she is a virgin.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
944 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2020
This book contains BDSM topics but it was not in the write up. While the story is packed with kidnapping, hate, betrayals twists and turns the execution was lacking and needs to have some better world building, explanations and background. I just could not relate to either of the main characters and I did not feel any love, chemistry or romance between Riley and Zeke. I never warmed up to Zeke and did not feel he had redeemed himself. In short earth is dying and humans are saved and trained to be a worker, sex pet or slave on the dragon's planet, really not a nice place. King Zeke's agent buys Riley to be the kings household and pet/sex slave and is hot and cold with her, treats her horribly and degrades her. The book just did not draw me in, even though the story line was good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,665 reviews63 followers
June 16, 2021
Riley loses everything on Earth and ends up on the last transport to a dragon world where humans are workers or sex slaves. An agent for King Zeke buys her amidst conflict of people trying to take over. The characters are strong and determined with backstories that prove what they have gone through already. The suspense keeps the pages turning, with surprises and twists I did not see coming, like May. A very different storyline that does not bond the two tightly from the beginning. Because of possible traitors, Zeke is wary of claiming Riley outright, so he shows the world she is just a slave, but in private he cares deeply. Loved the caring, possessive Zeke that shows himself when with Riley. The romance becomes stronger and more protective when it counts. Loved the ending and the dance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,259 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2020
Will she be the queen of the dragons or just a slave? As planet Earth is dying, Riley escapes on a ship to a planet of dragon shifters. During the four year trip she is groomed to be the queen to the Dragon King. As she is a virgin, the crew believes that he will be intrigued by her. But from the first moment she meets him he is cruel, demeaning to her, and forces her to listen while he has sex with other slaves. But he has secrets and will ultimately put her life in danger. Will he rescue her? I know he had a reason for being the way he was but even at the end of the story I still think he was unfeeling and could have behaved a little nicer to Rile. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Rachel Benham.
580 reviews5 followers
January 10, 2020
This was intense from the start. Earth is dying and Riley has lost the last of her family, her father. She bargins her way on a ship that is taking her to a plant that really does not like humans. During the 4 years it takes, Riley is schooled by Hal, Ruby and Jenika so that when they go to auction, she will be better suited for the King. She gets into his household and at first he is gruff with her, insults her and plain ignores her. But then, when she shows interest in another, the King finally relents and lets her in. A botched kidnapping and Riley realizes that her and her King were meant to be. Great book with a great ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,024 reviews9 followers
June 28, 2021
Riley is on earth because she is a human and earth is dying. Riley has no one left. Getting on a ship to go to Taneyemm is her last hope of survival. The day that she gets on a ship to Taneyemm is the same day that her father died. Riley was trained to please the king of Taneyemm for four years after they find out that she is a virgin. Riley is hoping for a better life. Zeke is the king of Taneyemm and is a dragon shifter. Zeke needs a mate someone to be his queen and wife. Zeke doesn't want a mate because he feels that someone will use it against him. I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the storyline and plot. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Minke.
285 reviews
June 15, 2018
The book started out really interesting but it took an unexpected turn. I understood the H hot and cold attitude but he didn't have to call the h fat, especially when you find out later he didn't even mean it. Th kidnapping scene could have been more suspenseful. Without more suspense and maybe a longer time lapse, it just seemed more like an exaggeration than a representation of the dire circumstances. Overall it was pretty okay.
60 reviews2 followers
January 15, 2020
I had a hard time with this book art the start. I liked the main character and ultimately liked the romantic element of this story, I even liked the sub-romance that shows up later in the story. Mostly I found the beginning of this to be problematic. I felt like it was a series of time jumps that lead up to a solid ending. It's not very long but I would have enjoyed this much more if it had been tightened up a bit. In my opinion most of the story that took place before she gets to the new planet could have been a short prequel with small flashbacks or conversations that filled us in on the past.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,353 reviews12 followers
June 11, 2021
I have to say that at the start I really liked Riley. She was fighting for herself and her father. She wasn't winning but she was still going. She had to be clever and resourceful and she was. However from about chapter 8 to around chapter 19 she seemed to be a totally different person. She was trained for 4 years how to act, what is expected of her and what to do yet basically sets foot out of the ship and turns into an idiot bird-brain who can't recall any of what has been drummed into her? Despite this I liked the way the story unfolded, the interest with dying worlds and the undercurrents with the plot. The king is off-hand but you do find out why. A fair read though.
Profile Image for Andi Downs.
1,446 reviews14 followers
June 14, 2021
Another great read. Riley buries her father, leaving her alone on a dying earth. She ends up getting a ride on a ship learning she will be a dragon kings pet, given she is also a virgin. Her 4 years on the space trip, are spent learning all she needs to know for her new life. The dragon king Zeke, comes across moody and complains about her from the moment her sets eyes on her. There is much going on in this story and not all as it seems. Zeke does eventually reveal how he feels about Riley and his fear about an attempted kidnapping of his best mates sister. Zeke has everything covered and both he and Lee come to the women's rescue. They are good together and will have a great HEA.
1,886 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2020
This was an awesome book that I really enjoyed. The story and characters grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't stop reading. I loved the characters and watching them grow together, they were well written and went well together. I found this book amazing with great word building making me feel apart of the story and watching it unfold in front of me. A definite must read for any fan and I can't wait to read more from this author!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,454 reviews49 followers
January 10, 2020
When Riley’s father dies she runs off and makes her way onto a ship but she is to be sold at an auction, Riley is sold to King Zeke but he doesn’t seem to be interested in her. Zeke insults Riley continuously or he just plain ignores her until Riley shows an interest in another man but then the king finally wakes up. I didn’t like the King at all he was cruel to Riley and I sure as hell wouldn’t of given him a second chance that’s for sure but it’s a great story and I do recommend this book.
1 review
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January 10, 2020
Different cultures, different species...can they overcome them? Rescued from the dying Earth, she is taken to another planet and bought by the king. He is an arrogant, cruel womanizer. She wants him (sort of). The story and characters are well developed. There are some typos that confuse a scene or two. In all, it is a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
181 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2020
Earth is dying, and humans are abandoning it in droves and the only place left to go there is limited space and the original species really doesn't want humans there.

But first the mind and body needs to survive and then the heart follows what it needs and wants. This is a short, hot, steamy read and I absolutely loved it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5,927 reviews29 followers
January 28, 2020
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Riley jumps on the last ship she is sold to King Zeke, he treats her horribly wrong until she starts to like another, only then he wants her. The twist and turns, the action and hot and steamy.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews53 followers
September 13, 2020
Alien Dragon by Sophie Stern is a fantastic story that I have had the privilege to read. I loved reading this story cause it has dragons in it and I love dragons. I can not get enough of this story and I can not wait to see what this author will write about next. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about Sci-Fi and paranormal romance in their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Janet.
1,982 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2021
A confusing story. Riley goes to a different planet before they destroy Earth. What she goes through on the way is not told. Only that they taught her to seduce a male. I thing she fell in love the first time she saw the King. Of course she is feisty. lol It's a very good story with Riley trying to fit in and not get into to much trouble. I do love the ending. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Carly.
807 reviews3 followers
September 21, 2017
A short enjoyable book. Sophie did a decent job at world building. However, the ending happened way to quickly and easy. The kidnapping sequence would have been better if it was longer and more suspenseful. Overall, a good book and I would read more from this author!
132 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2017
Different

Not quite enough romance for me. The H was one minute cold toward Riley and made derogatory statements (although this was cleared up toward end) the next scene he was tender and considerate. Almost gave me whiplash! Since Sophie Stern is a new to me author and overall Alien Dragon was pretty good, I'm looking forward to reading another one of her stories.
12k reviews75 followers
January 8, 2020
The author has given us characters we can care about. As the planet Earth is dying, Riley meets two men that have the resources to get her off the planet. Little does she know that she is being groomed for Zeke, the King Dragon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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