I thought when I killed my brother I’d be free. It turns out, I never knew what chains could be.
The slavers took me because I am unique. The only creature in the universe that can use magic, the last of my kind.
Sold to the highest bidder, and now the once great ruler is nothing more than a creature on display.
They underestimate me. I may be in chains, but my mind is free. They think they can parade me around like an exotic animal on display, unaware of the danger they court.
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but my words will end you.
Enslaved (Space Mage Book 2) by Izzy Shows is not up to par with what this talented writer normally writes. I don't think it had the POP her other stories have. It was an okay read and the characters were less than likable in my opinion. I have loved every single book she has put out so far but this one was just okay. I was given a copy of the book to read the review is voluntary.
This book sucked me in, and I stayed up reading until I had finished it. I was totally not expecting the story to go this way in book two, but I liked it. The experiences that Xiva and Kaiden went through were so damaging that I am not sure they will ever fully recover. Xiva especially. I love her, and I really hope she can live with what she had to do. It was refreshing to see Kaiden placed in the situation he was as most books I've read would have had the male and female switched in those roles. I was definitely surprised with how he handled that situation as opposed to his usual fighting his way out. I loved the book, but I am so stressed out by the ending and need to know what happens next!
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book.***
This sequel definitely out did the first book in the series. The only issue I had was how the two mains were separated for the max of the book, but that's an easy enough thing to over look. This book explored the fact that these two have been given insight to one another's minds through what happened at the end of the last book. Now in this book it separates them after such a deep connection was formed practically instantly after only a few chapters. We left off in the previous book with Kaidan offering to show Xiva the stars and take her off her planet and start of pretty much right into that adventure. On their first planetary stop our two mains Kaidan and Xiva get separated and put into as the title focuses on enslavement. Though the most intresting thing happens out of their enslavement. The two opposites that make up these two end up in entirely the opposite slave situations and of course they are both on different planets. Kaidan ends up as a body slave to an alien women who wants more form him then he'd ever willingly offer as a slave or not. While Xiva ends up in an underground combatant slave ring where it's kill or be killed. Now while the body slave thing is simple Kaidans new master whom is shown to be very lonely but also has a side that would like to see slaves free isn't all bad other then the fact he still is a slave with a shock collar around his neck. But Xiva she's really going through the motions do to the fact she's been put in a situation that if her master dies shell die too. Though worse is being put into kill or be killed situations. All of which threatens her very mind and heart, and taking her down a dark path. Both yeva to one another suffer and wonder endlessly about the others predicament but in the end all takes a brighter turn. The both gain their freedom through their own methods. Kaidan gains freedom slight more simpler then Xiva but they do find their way back to each. Though not as happily as they hoped for the incident that happened in book one catches up with Kaidan and will make for a good next installment for the next book in the series. So I really did love this book more so in response to the first because of the expansion of the setting. The predicament that the main characters found themselves in was also a plus. It sadden me that we didn't get enough of the two together and it really felt like the same may hold true in the next book as well. But between Kaidans willingness to feign affection for his Master who thought she was a saint for what she was doing and Xiva fighting and killing to gain freedom it was a strong book. It really was exceptional how Kaidan explained to his Master the error of her ways. Then with Xiva gaining allies in those who understood the wrongness of their situation who helped in her and their fight to be free. In the end their choices brought the two back to one another but just as soon brought them apart. Now to play the waiting game for the next book.
Definitely not what I was expecting. This book starts with our two main characters and Walter in space going to check out a planet. Bad choice. What I enjoyed about this book. The role reversals. As the synopsis, and title indicates, Xiva and Kaiden are taken as slaves. Yet instead of Kaiden having to fight for his life he is sold as a "flesh" slave, and Xiva will fight. I also enjoy the description of the aliens. Made me want to paint them! The planet that Kaiden gets taken to is completely out of the norm, I would like to know how that planet fully came to be like that. Hopefully we will see Tavixi again. Xiva I felt, had the hardest path. The planet she was on seemed like any typical planet with seedy underworld dealings. I honestly love the character development. I want to know more about them, root for them or see them crumble. Now let me explain the lost star. Not enough Walter! I would have liked just a glimpse of what he went through. I liked the progression of Xiva, she I felt overcame her challenges better than Kaiden. Maybe it's because of what she had to go through that forced her not to dwell, but to move forward. Kaiden was just....stuck. He likes to think on the same thing over and over without much forward progression. It could just be me. It just feels like he lets himself get in the way. Which causes him to be slow to act, unless it's a fight. Maybe I just wanted or expected more from him. I really enjoyed this book. These characters seem to never catch a break. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes characters getting out of situations they definitely are not used to. It was a fast easy read for me. This book was given to me by the author for an honest review.
I loved the first book, Provoked, and was eagerly looking forward to reading Enslaved. It was not what I thought it was going to be at all as Izzy completely confounded the usual conventions and it made for a very interesting story. Kaidan and Xiva both found themselves in situations completely unfamiliar to them and both had to find solutions that were completely alien to their nature and didn't come easily to them. They are already broken people and these experiences are harrowing for them, especially Xiva. It was not an entirely comfortable read but i couldn't put it down. The ending sets up the next book which needs to come out soon because I want to know what happens (but it is not a cliffhanger). I gave it four stars only because Kaidan and Xiva were not together enough for me and I wanted to see how their relationship would progress. I also missed their interactions with Walter. I received an ARC from the author but have voluntarily decided to write a review and the opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book, which is the second of the Space Mage series. Loved the storyline which draws you in and keeps you reading and loved the character development of the main characters of Kaidan and Xiva. Both Kaidan and Diva find themselves separated, which is something the find difficult, along with the challenging situations they both end up in. For this reason there isn't much in the way of interaction between the two of them. So although you see development of each individual character, there isn't much development of their relationship. I also loved the character of Walter and missed him in this book. He is in the book, but because all the characters are separated, and the book is written from the perspective of Xiva and Kaidan, Walter only seen for a short period of it. As with all the books by this author, this is well written, creative and imaginative. Can't wait for the next book. I received a ARC and am leaving a voluntary review
“Sticks and stones may break your bones, but my words will end you.”
Another powerful showing by Izzy Shows. Her stars, Xiva and Kaidan, are placed in positions almost designed to test everything they are. There’s plenty of action in a series of alternating chapters from each of these character’s POV as they are largely kept apart from each other. Strong will is key and that’s something this h and H have an oversupply of. Add in a wonderfully strong cast of characters and a strong plot with great twists and turns, with the author’s usual high writing standard. The result is simply superb and highly recommended.
Your first book was brilliant. So where did your mind go to when writing Enslaved. Really, what was the point of this very disappointing drivel. I expected much more and was looking forward to reading Enslaved. It was mind numbingly boring. I sincerely hope you don't focus the entirety of the next book to the court drama. It was with great anticipation to continue from Provoked, within that parameter, to Enslaved, and go out with a bang on your third book. Sorry, cannot possibly recommend Enslaved as a good story or a good read.
No No No I am on pins and needles. Full of action, intrigue and suspense. Second in the series and keeps your imagination in overdrive. I so want to read the next book to find out what is going to happen next. The suspense is going to kill me. Pulled so many emotions from me as it’s very well written.
Absolutely magnificent story. Emotions so raw I could feel them. Never have I read a story that placed people in the shoes of others as well as Izzy Shows has done.
I was given an ARC by the author; however the review is mine and mine along.
Very disappointing follow-up to the first book 'Provoked'. Two highly competent and skilled characters who become bumbling emotional idiots. Thankfully you can skip most of the contents and just read the more relevant developments.
This is the second book in the series and let me tell you....... O~M~G there is so much action, suspense and off the wall emotions that just pull you in. I am totally in love with this series and can not wait for the next book! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.