Ivan

Gideon’s Riders #3

by Kit Rocha

As the sheltered princess of Sector One, Maricela’s life is defined by duty: to her people and to her family. Her wealth and influence have allowed her to build a better world, but they come with a price---the responsibility to secure political stability with a practical marriage. Maricela cherishes the idea of marrying for love, but there’s not much romance in the endless line of suitors interested only in prestige and power.

And her handsome, brooding new bodyguard isn’t helping the situation.

Ivan is the perfect, deadly warrior, a man trained from childhood to be the ultimate protector to the Rios family. His focus on keeping her safe is intense--and a little intoxicating. When the threat of danger cracks his icy control, Maricela realizes she’s not the only one fighting against temptation.

Ivan knows that the blood on his hands makes him unworthy of the pure-hearted princess. But from the first kiss, their forbidden affair feels inevitable. He can give her a glimpse of life outside her gilded cage and a lover who wants the woman instead of the crown. The only thing he can never do is promise her forever.

Because spurning her noble suitors to marry her bodyguard wouldn’t just be a scandal. It could set off a political firestorm that would tear Sector One apart.

Genres: Romance, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Adult, Fiction, Fantasy

378 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2018

About the author

Once upon a time, two best friends decided to write paranormal romance. And while that was awesome, they also sometimes wanted to write insanely dirty stuff that wasn’t paranormal at all. This is that stuff.

Kit Rocha is the dystopian-erotic-romance writing alter-ego of writing duo Moira Rogers.

Reviews

[MischaS_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

***An advance reading copy of Ivan by Kit Rocha was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

“I would like to point out, just for the record, that at least I wasn’t a big enough asshole to say that.”

I'm really conflicted with this one and not really sure how to rate it. Let's start from beginning maybe I'll know at the end of the review how to rate this one.

EDIT: (I did not really realised that but I was a bit struggling with the families here since there are so many people. Good thing is that the authors provided sort of basic family trees on their fb group! :) )


I was really, really looking for this one! I could not wait. I had all these expectations. And somehow when the book finished there was... nothing. I loved the O'Kane series so much and could not wait for Gideon's Riders, but I feel like the O'Kane series was just so good that his one simply cannot measure up to it.

This couple was one I really was looking forward. Because in the previous books we could see both of them and I liked Ivan and Maricela and thought that they would be great together. And I liked that since it would be about Maricela, we will get to see more of Gideon or even Mad. But no, Mad appeared only once for a short time, couple pages max. And I would say that Gideon was not more present than in the previous books.
Speaking of people that were not enough present in the book here comes me another problem. We got a new character that will be apparently really important and has the ability to seriously make things hell if he tries. But the character is introduced and then basically disappears from the pages except for another couple of pages filled with nothing and then the character is only mentioned. Come on! Lucas just comes, and he's their blood relative. One that could potentially challenge Gideon for his throne. One of the noble families is backing him up, and there is not more of him? That's really bad and a lost opportunity. If he was not going to play any role in this book than he maybe should have been introduced later in the book. Not almost at the beginning at then sort of forgotten. It was really disruptive. I was always thinking about him what he was doing and stuff like that. Do not introduce an important character and then leave him out. It seemed like they even forgotten that they put him in the story at all!

So, the majority of the book is spent at a gathering organized by the Reyes family. Therefore, you'll get to see a lot of characters from the previous books or even new ones. I'm starting to be really disgusted by how people were pushing for Maricela to marry someone noble. Same with how they want to get someone to catch Gideon and now probably Lucas will be very good catch as well. And I even felt sorry for how Nita was treated by her mother. And even that it is something that is completely normal. For some reason, I got feeling that Estela Reyes could be great friend with Cerys. And it was kind of sad that it had to be Lauren to point out how everyone thinks that they are entitled to a piece of Maricela or even any Rios in general.

My favorite moments from the whole book were between the Riders. I love Reyes and Gabe. I want more of them. I was always laughing out loud. Their conversations are simply hilarious!

“I’m sorry, but we’re all a bunch of badass warriors trained in observation. Surely he didn’t think no one would notice. I mean, you didn’t, right?”

Well, I did not talk about the couple yet, did I? So, there is the biggest problem. The couple did not work for me. And in general, I would say that that is my main problem with this series. Except for the first book the couples do not work for me. So, what was my main problem? I feel like Ivan put Maricela on a pedestal. Like a goddess or something. And he would do anything she'll ask him to do. Sort of doesn't feel like a healthy relationship to me.

The next books will be:

Hunter and Nita
Gabe and Lauren

Then it is pretty safe to bet that we will get
Gideon and Avery - which I don't really know how I feel about. People won't be really happy that the Parrino sisters got the two most powerful men in the Sectors.
Then certainly we can expect Reyes, and I think Grace
And other characters I expect to get books are Lucas, Alexei, and Sara - not necessarily together.

I'm really sorry because I wanted to like this book more than I did. I was looking forward to this one. But it did not work. I missed something there and did not like the couple together; they simply missed all chemistry between them. Normally I would probably stop with the series especially since I did not like the previous book as well. However, I love the interactions between the Riders so much that I will get it another chance. I just need more of Reyes and Gabe! And Zeke is getting pretty hilarious as well.

Also, the ending hinted some great political struggle I cannot wait for.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that remind me why I fell in love with reading in the first place; and as I’ve been saying reading has been tough for quite a while. IVAN just made me recall what I usually look for in a story.

I’m a huge fan of bingeing series, I love that as a new installment comes along the readers get to see a different layer and a perspective from the plot and characters. IVAN is the third book in Gideon’s Riders. I think it’s the strongest story so far. The first two books, Ashwin and Deacon, acted as the introduction for a new worldbuilding. It’s a great chaser to warm up the readers while Ivan is like another pre-main-course meal. It set up the following storyline neatly.

Compared to the previous installment where there’s a heavy concentration in the Gideon’s Riders which is mostly composed of male characters, except for Ana, I love that we get to know the female characters intimately. There’s more focus on female friendship which I love a lot. Kit Rocha also dropped some megabombs on the sailing ships and otps that is to come. We have a star-crossed lovers / childhood friends, tortured hero that needs a little bit of saving from this heroine, a geeky guy and a fashionista and of course my favorite a king that needs to learn how to become a man. I WOULD SERIOUSLY DIE FOR THESE CHARACTERS.

The family/friendship dynamics and found-family trope will always be my favorite thing. I wish more authors would employ this particularly ~ I can confirm Kit Rocha always deliver this part. I’m only a vessel.

Romance: The sex scenes are top notched. The bodyguard x princess trope is everything I’ve ever hoped for. The build-up is AMAZING. The saint metaphors really got me going. Honestly, I don’t have anything to say because it’s just so perfect. Hah.

Verdict: YES, I am aware this is not a formal review but I literally haven’t reviewed a book properly in a year so don’t expect me to start now. I just love IVAN so much. I would like twenty books from this series. I’m so excited to read Hunter and more of Gideon Rios please.

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well the all too holy Rios family led by Gideon are about to get pulled into a very sticky situation that could well lead to a political coup. Gideon and his Riders are being targeted and the youngest Rios is just a pawn in the game. Maricela knows only too well that those who seek to marry her do so just to get closer to the power of the Prophet. Her life is duty and servitude although she never shies away from it but surely someone could love her and she’s got her eye on just the right man.
Ivan might be a Rider now but he’s known shame and humiliation as his family committed treason. Ivan is so grateful to Gideon, the one man who reached out to him no matter what others thought. Now Ivan is tasked with protecting Gideon's sister Maricela but everything about her awakens a hunger that Ivan has to ignore. Trouble is they say forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest !
This book showcases exactly how twisted the politics are in this post flare world. Families vying for power , backstabbing brutally and not caring the cost. Amidst all this is this couple who dare to hope but does Maricela endanger the man she has come to love. Ivan is a wonderful hero and I loved his forbearance and dedication. Not a rushed romance but a beautiful drawn out one.
Secrets and enemies are revealed as the authors give us a story chock full of a multitude of characters which had me constantly trying to remember who was related to who. That being said it does reveal characters related to the holy Rios family so clearly there’s a long term arc being plotted. This ends with changes on the way and Gideon and his Riders are slap bang in the middle. Hunter looks like getting his story next and if it’s Gideon who has you intrigued then there’s hints about his possible lady here. Yes these characters who inhabit the Sectors know how to live and long may it continue.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 * for this visit to Sector One! I really loved seeing Ivan and Maricela together ( the slow burn sexual tension is killer) and as always, the extra POV chapters are really insightful ( and give story hints on what will come)! There are some exciting action scenes as well as more of the politics and secrets of the Rios family and other noble families of Sector One. The equal empowerment of women in these stories is fabulous and gives me hope. My minor quibble is that I need a character flow chart to keep everyone straight! Even having read the original series and this one, I still get confused as to who is related to whom, and there are a LOT of characters, with more being introduced all the time. On the plus side if it means more stories in this world I will take it in compensation. Super excited for the next two stories revealed, and definitely wanting and hoping for more!

Note: a copy of this story was provided by the authors for review.

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Stars***

I seriously love this world.
I do.
It’s not complicated in any way, it just feels so real to me, like it’s an actual place I’d want to visit and play in, and I love being able to spend a few hours hanging out with the characters ~ no matter which series they come from ~ and learning new things about it and boy do some new things come to light in Ivan!

But first...Ivan and Maricela.

It was hard not to love these two, separately and together. They both struggle with the expectations that are placed on them simply because of the blood that runs through their veins and while it does weigh heavily on both of them, they actually want to live up to those expectations. They respect their positions in the Sector and understand why things are the way they are...and yet they wish there was a little more wiggle room at times.

But that version of Ivan and Maricela are those of the Rider and the Princess, the man and woman who live beneath the titles, aren’t necessarily all that different, but a little more relaxed and their true personalities come out to play as their relationship grows and becomes more than either expected. They fight the good fight for awhile and I really enjoyed the slow burn aspect because I got to see that they were friends and truly cared about each other on a deeper level than simply physical attraction or because of their positions. But once they finally gave in, and not only in the smexy sense ~ though that was hot ~ all bets were off and there was only one outcome could work for both of them. Of course certain issues do spring up in the course of their journey, but I loved how everything worked out for them in the end.

Now, I know I’ve said this in every review I’ve done for the Beyond series and the Gideon’s Riders series, but it has to be said. I love the family dynamic that is always present in this series. The bantering, snarkyness and just all around being up in each other business is something I totally enjoy and this one has it in spades. I also liked getting a better idea of the political side of Sector one and all the little intrigues that go on when it comes to the royal and noble families. As far as the Riders are concerned I don’t have a clear favorite because they are all so intriguing to me (though Ashwin is still all KINDS of awesomeness), but I loved spending more time with Laurel (Six is still my absolute fav when it comes to the women in this world, but Laurel could give her some competition) but there was one little section that had me sitting up and going “Ooooohhhhh” I need more of that backstory, like, yesterday!

So, needless to say, I loved and adored Ivan as a whole. The romance was well done, the angst was low, and I loved spending time with all the characters and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Kit Rocha released Ivan with very little notice, so finding an ARC in my inbox was a lovely surprise! I love Gideon Rios, and can’t wait for his story. Until then, I am more than happy to read about his Riders. I am fascinated by these men who have sworn an oath to Gideon to protect him, his family, and the residents of Sector One, willing to both kill and die in his service. As much as I love Gideon, I’ve never been more than lukewarm toward his baby sister, Maricela. Maybe because she is referred to as the baby, the princess, always dressed in white gowns, even though she is a grown woman. Ivan, one of Gideon’s Riders is assigned to guard Maricela after an attempt on her life. The two have feelings for each other, but keep them hidden because of the inappropriate nature of a relationship between a bodyguard and a princess. The life of a Rider has always been very solitary; due to the nature of their vows, they’ve traditionally forsaken long-term relationships and families of their own. Like everything else in the Sectors (and Eden) post-Revolution, that is slowly changing. I thought both Ivan and Maricela were too hard on themselves. He felt unworthy of a princess, and was determined to overcome a dark family legacy. Maricela struggled to find a balance between her duties as a Rios and her own personal happiness. She was unhappy and felt guilty for being miserable when she was so privileged while other people had so little and were struggling to survive. I love a slow burn, but it was a little too slow for me. I really had a hard time getting into this story. I grew weary of Maricela being referred to as Gideon or Isabela’s baby sister or the princess, and her many social obligations. While I appreciate it as a set-up for her discontent, it seemed to drag on more than I would have liked. I did find her charming, and felt sympathy for all she was missing in her life. However, once Maricela and Ivan gave in to their feelings for each other, they both came alive! Suddenly they were more human, more real, and for me, much more likeable. The change in their relationship seemed to unleash so many new feelings for both of them. I’m beyond thrilled I stuck with it, because I ended up loving both of them and their story. Maricela and Ivan brought out the best in each other, and even though the journey to their HEA was strewn with obstacles, including assassins, scheming nobles, would-be suitors, long-standing traditions, feelings of guilt and unworthiness, they did manage to get there.

With each of the books in this series, we see more and more of the Riders. I felt I got to know each of them a little better in Ivan and I’m definitely intrigued by all I’ve seen so far. I can’t wait to see what Kit Rocha has up for us next.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
5-bodyguard-princess-romance stars!

I loved this book so much, it's my favourite in the series so far.

This is very much a typical bodyguard-princess romance and it's beautifully and very engagingly done. I loved the complexity of the main characters and all the pining and their long and stubborn resistance to giving in into their feelings.

Unlike the previous book where I felt there was strong emphasis on the cult/religious apsect of the secovite in Sector One, here the focus was more of the court intrigues and the world of the noble families in the Sector. There was still a lot of talk of (living) saints and martyrs and self-sacrifice but it didn't bother me as much. Either I am getting more used to the world of Sector 1 or it was indeed less present as a theme than in Deacon and Ana's book. The important thing is that it all worked so much better for me.

I loved both Ivan and Maricela and found them to be wonderfully complex characters, both hiding a lot from the world, only showing a deceptively simple facade. Theirs was a slow burn with lots of hidden touches and looks and it all exploded in hot passion. They completed each other perfectly despite the seeming impossibility of a relationship between them.

It's a very character focused story but we also see a lot of the rest of the Riders and noble families which creates a very rich, vibrant world. I loved the sense of camaraderie among the riders and Maricela's female friendships were really precious to me. Ivan and Maricela became the world for each other they could never forget their obligations and responsibilities to those they loved and cared about.

There is tense suspense plot going on which too a surprising turn at the end and I can't wait for the next books to see how it will all play out. The humour and easy interactions among the Riders were a delight to read and much needed comfort from the very intense and emotionally charged relationship of Ivan and Maricela.

I absolutely love how the authors take a familiar trope (in this book and in the previous ones in the series) and explore it from all angles, presenting it as a real, easy to relate to life experience.

In short, Ivan is a bodyguard-princess romance which I loved and can recommend to everyone. It works well enough as a standalone, so if you haven't read the series yet, you can start here.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world!
Everything about it!
I thought this book was just a little bit wordy, however, I was still sucked into Sector One regardless. I like seeing the dynamics in play from all of the leaders/family. Maricela got to blossom into a woman right in front of her siblings eyes while Ivan got to experience emotion. For me it almost had a Romeo & Juliet quality to it.
I'm so excited to see the next book, the next paring, and the downfall of Gideon's bachelorhood.
If you like post-apocalyptic stories - READ THIS SERIES!

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars!

A sector princess + her I-don't-deserve-anything-let-alone-you bodyguard = FEELS. And so much chemistry. So. Much. Heat.

Plus the usual great world building, the continuation of some plots and the set up for future ones, and great interactions with the other characters, especially the Riders. :D


~ * ~ * ~ * ~

If you wish to look at some quotes/thoughts I highlighted, please check out my Twitter feed

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post-apocalyptic Kit Rocha is my favorite Kit Rocha. I've been hoarding the last book in this trilogy but the time has come. This was exactly what I wanted to read right now. There was so much yearning and longing between Maricela and Ivan, which made for some great chemistry. That said, this really skirts around the ethics of a bodyguard-client relationship beyond a couple of cursory acknowledgments. All works out in the end but I would have loved more of a proactive reckoning.

So much time has passed since this was published that I doubt they'll ever come back to finish the series but I sure hope they do anyway. We need those stories!!


Characters: Maricela is a princess with light brown skin. Ivan is a bodyguard and Rider. This is set in Sector One.

Content notes: post-traumatic stress, nightmare, hyperventilating, internalized ableism, parental depression, suicide by poison (secondary character), mental health stigma, alcoholic secondary character (drinks himself to death), murder, assassination attempt, dying MC, physical assault, past assassination attempt of FMC's brother (she killed his attacker), past war and casualties, refugees, lacerations, broken bones, poisonous spider, bodyguard-client relationship, past death of MMC's father (he took a bullet meant for someone else), past execution of MMC's uncles (treason; they kidnapped and killed the Prophet's daughter and also kidnapped her son), past death of FMC's parents, past forced family separation (FMC's brother was raised by relatives after their parents died but they couldn't handle her as a baby as well), past child physical abuse (MMC's mother hit him one time), past poverty and homelessness, pregnant secondary character, unsafe sex practices (no condom without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention; later revealed MMC has a contraceptive implant), on page sex, light pain play, shower sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mercenaries named “Suicide Kings”

[JenMcJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars.

This is my favorite go to series. Well to be fair, this is my favorite current series that follows my favorite go-to series. The Beyond series brought us to Sector 1 and the Riders Series and we can all be grateful. Sadly, although this is a spin off series, part of the fun of these books is getting to touch base and catch up with the players from the Beyond series but alas, there really wasn't anything satisfying in this book in that regard. I get that it's a series of it's own but we all want to touch base with the O'Kanes and we need more interaction with Gideon to continue to make him the ultimate non-hero hero in the background while we patiently wait to get to his story.

The writing and story telling is always so well done with these books that I just fly through reading them. I want to prolong the enjoyment but at the same time slowing down seems impossible.

Maricela and Ivan are a great team and the slow burn getting to the explosive chemistry was worth the wait. The subplots and machinations have ramifications of those decisions that continue to rattle the Riders and muddle the lives of the the upper echelon in Sector 1. Just like with the Beyond series, the twists and turns of ruling/governing/surviving/thriving against great odds along with the sheer scope of the books make reading each one different and prevents a formulaic feeling to any of the books. Because I know that the long term arcs in these books are planned, I'm going to assume that Lucas, potentially a huge liability to Gideon and the brief introduction of Sara, an interesting character in her own right, will have bigger roles to play in future books and not belabor how they were relegated to the back burner so quickly.

I know most of my goodreads friends are m/m readers and this is a m/f series so far (the Beyond series has more coupled/thrupled/quadrupled diversity) however, it's one of the few that I think shouldn't be missed even for those readers that had grown tired of the stale m/f romances. This series is something more than that. Start the Beyond series, with the sex positivity and female empowerment and just enjoy a world that should have been crushing but is anything but.

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read: 29-30 March 2018
One of the best books in the series!

2nd read:27-29 September 2020
Buddy read with Karin
It was fascinating to see sector 1 and the other sectors and Eden through the eyes of a Rios, one that wants to be involved with it(not you Mad). I can't wait to see where they take this series because so much has happened in this book.

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has to be a difficult balance for authors who have created a sweeping world and a massive cast of characters. On one hand, you have the flock of longtime fans who've been with you since the beginning. The ones who remember every romance, every rivalry, every child. Then on the other hand, you have newer readers who just want to enjoy the story you're telling today. I try very hard not jump into a series in progress and I thought I was safe entering this world with Ashwin.

I was wrong.

Don't get me wrong. I Loved Ashwin with a Capital L. And I didn't really feel lost, even though I hadn't read the O'Kane books. The authors did a great job easing me in with enough information that I didn't feel my own ignorance of the events of the Beyond series. Not so here. There were so many people and events referenced in this book that it was just too much. My brain was in overload with all the characters who weren't main players in the last two stories. I'm sure it was gift for longtime readers, but for me, it detracted from a romance featuring two of my favorite tropes: a forbidden relationship and a hero who thinks he isn't good enough for his heroine.

Detracted, yes. Ruined, no. Because Bree and Donna are hella-good writers, and when we weren't surrounded by folks I didn't recognize, I was glued to the page.

Maricela is the sweet younger sister of Gideon--and a revered princess of the Rios family. She has been sheltered her entire life, trapped in a gilded cage. Ivan is one of Gideon's esteemed Riders, a hardened warrior, and now Maricela's bodyguard. He is utterly loyal to Gideon and takes his job very seriously, which is why he tries so desperately to ignore the growing attraction he feels for his charge. Maricela takes her duties just as seriously. She knows she is a political chess piece and she lives to serve others. But she is tired of fighting her feelings for Ivan. She's ready to act on the interest that is so clearly mutual.

This is a slow burn, but it's full of delicious angst and longing. I loved watching Ivan fall for the woman Maricela was instead of the perfect princess front she showed the world. They are so sexy together, especially once Ivan's powerful control snaps. And I love that the authors didn't make Maricela overly innocent. She has wants and needs, and she isn't afraid to voice them. In the hands of lesser authors, she could have been a wilting flower or fluttery or silly. I wouldn't have liked her then. Here, I thought she was selfless and strong and brave --and everything that Ivan needed.

I know I complained earlier about all of the characters, but I did enjoy the core spinoff folks... the Riders in particular. And I am really excited for Hunter and Nita. Another forbidden romance. I'm totally there for it.

A really good book --and probably an even bigger win for people who have read the Beyond series.

Rating: B

*ARC provided by authors

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maricela Rios is a post-apocalyptic princess, sister of Gideon, the current leader of Sector One, and Isabela, the current leader of the Sector One religion, and granddaughter of the Prophet. Hers is a life of privilege and wealth, yet it comes at a price. After the attempt on Gideon's life Maricela is forced to have a bodyguard with her 24/7 up close and personal and her every movement is dissected. Even worse, everyone treats her as it she is made of glass with no will of her own. Maricela knows that she is expected to make a politically advantageous marriage that will cement alliances and bring further wealth to the Rios coffers but the only man she eyes for is her bodyguard, Ivan.

Ivan is the son of a saint and the nephew of traitors. After his uncles were responsible for kidnapping and the death of another Rios princess which precipitated a civil war, Ivan and his mother were ostracised by Sector One. Barely able to scrape a living on the streets Ivan has been brought up to emulate his father and sacrifice himself to save others. Gideon saved Ivan and his mother and Ivan's life as one of Gideon's Riders means everything to him.

The princess and the bodyguard, political marriages, intrigue and treason. This novel has all of Kit Rocha's brilliant world-building and drama but the heat is turned down to simmer. The predecessor series set in Sector Four, the Beyond series, was all about the erotica whereas this series is all about the plot and I loved it.

[★Winter★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I give this 3.5 stars

This was a hard book to rate. I felt completely different about the first half compared to the second half. As explained in a short note before the book….this was a “burn slow and long” romance. Which is a departure from the author’s usual style, no biggie. I don’t read this author for the sex scenes, it’s the stories and world building I love. What I wasn’t expecting was the slow build up of the entire storyline. I’ll be honest. It took me longer than usual to read the first half of the book. I’m not sure if it was the main characters or all the drama with the families, but I just couldn’t get into it. I’m so happy I saw a post on facebook with the images of the family trees. Without those I would have been completely lost, which is never good when you’re reading. I highly recommend printing those off before you start the book. Then around the halfway point, BAM….the story took off for me. I couldn’t put the book down. It became an action packed page turner. And that’s when I finally started to love these characters. I even started to understand the politics going on in Sector One. That’s what I truly feel this book was about, the introduction of the players involved in the politics and power struggles that exist in the Sector. Now that I have more background on the Sector and its inhabitants I’m excited to see where the series takes the reader in future books.


**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a princess of Sector One, Maricela has been sheltered and protected her entire life. Now it's her job to find a suitable husband from the nobility, one who will be able to help her ensure continued stability for the sector. Her sister is determined to help her make the right match but Maricela knows the men she is being introduced to are only interested in the prestige of her close family relationship with the Prophet and she dreams of marrying for love instead.

Ivan is one of Gideon's Riders, he is a fierce protecter of the Rios family and currently Maricela's bodyguard. Ivan's father was sainted for giving up his life to save a member of the family but his uncles ruined their family name by committing treason and Ivan has lived with the guilt of that for his entire life. All Ivan has ever wanted was to make his mother proud and he would never dream of going against Gideon's wishes but watching Maricela give up her own happiness for the sake of the sector is slowly killing him and he wants to give her a taste of the freedom she's always been denied.

Romance doesn't get much more forbidden than a princess and her bodyguard so this story had a perfect amount of longing glances and heartache as Maricela and Ivan both fell head over heels but knew their relationship was doomed before it even had a chance to begin. As a princess who has always been given everything she wanted it would have been easy for Maricela to have become spoilt but she knows just how privileged she has been and works hard to help people who are less fortunate than she is. I love her ideas for helping the refugees that are still arriving in Sector One after the war in Eden and it was nice to see that she was putting her skills to good use.

Maricela is under a lot of pressure amongst the nobility to find a suitable husband though, everyone wants a piece of her and Ivan is the only one who really sees and understands how much of a toll it takes on her. I loved how protective he was but also that he wanted to show her what it was like to be normal. It was so sweet when he would sneak her away just to do simple things like walk around a market where nobody would recognise her and I enjoyed seeing them spending time together away from all the pressures of home. Ivan's backstory was hard to read about, as much as there are a lot of things to like about life in Sector One I'm not a fan of some of the rules there. The way the Riders are expected to give up their chance at a family of their own seems so wrong to me and I'm glad that Gideon and the rest of his family are working so hard to change certain attitudes in that quarter.

This story has a lot of sexual tension between the main couple and it's a long time before they give into it but that just made it all the sweeter. Lots of lingering glances and sneaked touches helped to really ramp up that chemistry until an explosion was inevitable. They're actually a pretty adorable couple and fit together perfectly and I loved the slow build to their romance. We've also had some strong hints over future couples here and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series. Kit Rocha never let me down and I'm always excited to spend more time in this world.

[Dana ~ The Dirty Smut'atter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars|5.0 Heat Level

I really wanted to be able to give this one all 5 stars, but I will admit that the beginning was a bit slow for what I have come to expect from Kit Rocha . That said we get a ton of background details regarding several of the supporting cast of characters [Royal Family Ladies and fellow Riders]. I will say that once things heat up they stay at the heat level we have all come desire!!

The book picks up after the attempted assassination of Gideon and Ivan had been asked to protect Maricela - The Princess of Sector One. The attraction between these two was evident in the previous Riders books and once we get to focus on just them it becomes obvious quickly it is more than just a fling. The demands placed on The Royal Family comes to the forefront and results in your life being traded for the good of your family and the new connections you will form. The opposite side of the coin is that the life of a Rider has always been based on a code of conduct far outdated after the war. These two are trapped in a world that has them giving up their freedom, but the real question is will they be able to break free of these binds and finally live their own lives.

As expected things are never, as easy as finding your soulmate for this cast of characters. It appears enemies are still at large and want a piece of Gideon's family and his riders. I never expected an easy road following the war, but what I enjoy the most is watching these characters continue to push for their freedoms and find a piece of their HAE!!

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[N.G. Peltier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this book since i finished Deacon's book!! Honestly this series gets better and better with each book, and we got bodyguard/princess trope with IVAN and yessssss!!!

Ivan has a serious case of the feels for Princess Maricela and the feelings are reciprocated but Ivan is a good soldier and won't act on them...well, initially ;)

The dynamics of the royal families made my head spin, not gonna lie, (there's so much to keep track of!) but it was so intriguing to read about them, as there's a bunch of suitors vying for Maricela's hand, and the political intrigue is fascinating!!

What always sticks out to me in Kit Rocha's books is the women, the authors always craft such multidimensional female characters, who come from all walks of life, who are powerful in so many different ways. i love that!! Loved that Maricela is a princess who seemingly has everything but isn't really free, as her older sister pushes her to marry one of the eligible suitors who keep vying for her hand, but Maricela wants none of that. She wants Ivan! 

And the man himself Gideon mother effing Rios has a POV chapter and after reading my desire for his book is off the charts!! i have no idea where G's book falls in the line up buuuuuut it's very clear who his love interest is now and I AM HERE FOR IT!!

But back to the pining between princess and bodyguard. So they decide they can't give into their mutual attraction so let's be friends yes good plan. Me while this is all going on:"this ain't gonna last" but i adored their banter and of course the tension between them...was oh so delicious. mmhmm. Exhibit A:

"Of course, now he had a mischievous Maricela circling him, all bright and smiling and happy, and he could still see the line of her underwear through her transparent pants and trace the sweet curve of her breast where her shirt clung to it. It was blasphemous to enjoy the view."

me: poor Ivan

also me: mwahahahaha, yes good.

Another plus in the book was everything didn't just revolved around Ivan and Marciela. We see Ivan with his Rider buds, we see Maricela with her friends, yayyy for female friendships in boooooks! I loved the times we get to see the ladies together. We get a scene with them all getting ready for the ball and it was A+++ You learn a lot about a main character from how they interact with the people around them.

Also as per usual we have a really big cast of characters here, i mean the Riders alone, there's so many of them and any scene with them are fun to read (hi Reyes :D). It adds so much to the Rider who's book it is when we get to see them interact with their fellow riders, it's pretty interesting learning about their varying pasts and how they came to join up.

Ivan's past is vastly different from Maricela's for sure. His uncles kidnapped Mad and Mad's mother, so even as Ivan's mother had nooo idea people gossip about it and of course it affects Ivan, even though the Riders dont see his relatives actions as a stain againt Ivan, he does. He's such a complex guy. Maricela is as well, but in her own way. I'm always here for the opposites attract vibe ;) It absolutely made for great charged scenes between them:

It was inevitable. Impossible, reckless, blasphemous. A violation of the oath he’d sworn to Gideon. And inevitable.

Which of course had me screaming KIIIIIISS ALREADYYYYY but i do love to suffer for the will they or won't they moments and these were just right for the build up to THE MOMENT without stressing me out! Because you know it'll all have been worth it.

And it so was.

This book introduces a POV chapter from a character we haven't met before (well, at least I don't think we have >.>) Sara, whose back story we get a glimpse of. That chapter raises so many questions and i need to know moooore. It also acts as a jump off point for a reveal about Maricela that Ivan didn't know, that we the reader did not know. i almost shrieked at this reveal:

"The smooth skin over her ribs was interrupted by a splash of black ink so unexpected that he simply stared at it, his mind unable to process the meaning. Clarity hit him like a knife to the heart. Maricela had a raven."


This was such a great moment, especially since she and Ivan basically cuddle after this reveal. :)

And all the ships in this book, oh my. There's the set up for basically all of them and yeah I can't wait for the rest of books. We get Hunter and Nita POV chapters as well, and I neeeeed iiiiiiiit!! She's been in love with him for about TEN YEARS!! can you imagine the pining going on there, and how it's alll gonna manifest itself in their book? I can.

This is what Kit Rocha does best, drops little juicy teases to get us excited for the next book without taking away from the current book's MCs.

There are so many moments between Ivan and Maricela that stuck out to me, one being when he takes her outside Sector Four, so she can feel like a "normal" person and not the Princess of Sector One.

“Everything happens to me. I might as well be a table or a lamp. Just once, I’d like to do something.”

Ivan helps her experience a few firsts, another one being taking her to Eden. This is why i always advise people to read the Beyond series before diving into these books. Getting a sense of what Eden was, the final showdown and what Ivan takes Maricela to see would add so much more oomph to that scene, the gravity of that moment. *sobs* Maricela going to the memorial where so many Riders lost their lives was so charged with emotion, it had me reminiscing on the series that got us to Gideon's Riders. Not gonna lie I might have teared up a bit at this scene. 

And holy shiiiiit the revelations towards the end there, wowwww!! My heart was in my throat for both Ivan and Maricela after that attack then for Reyes and Nita because daaaaaaaamn!! Kit Rocha has once again crafted a story that had my emotions all over the damn place: laughter, shock and surprise, reminiscing about everything that happened with the O'Kanes and Eden. so. many. feelings. 

Ivan and Maricela worked through their conflicts and weddiiiiiiing bells soon :D

I should stop rambling now but...OMG I SCREAMED AT THAT ENDING. THE LAST CHAPTER IS GIDEON'S POV AND o m g!!!! Change is a coming and I don't know if i'm ready but I do know i'm ready for Gideon's book tho, even though he isn't next >.> but my excitement for book 4 had grown to squeal worthy proportions. i am ready. 

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Gideon’s Riders series with Ivan and Maricela’s story. I have been waiting for their story and couldn’t wait to hide away and dive back into Sector One.

Things are intense for the Rios family and Maricela is expected to be everything to everyone. Her life isn’t really her own. She’s always been sheltered and lives in an invisible cage.

Ivan is one of Gideon’s Riders whose dark family legacy haunts him. His devotion to Gideon, the Rios Family and the other Riders are his focus.

When Ivan is tasked with protecting Maricela everything changes. The attraction and burning passion between Ivan and Maricela is overwhelming and can’t be ignored. I really enjoyed the slow burn feel of their story. They became each other’s safe place. Allowing each other to be vulnerable and exposed. Stolen moments allowed Maricela to blossom as Ivan showed her a different world. One where they were just two people with no heavy responsibilities and expectations. Their story is tender and sweet and mixed nicely with smoking hot loving and make you blush stolen moments.

This book is intense and exciting with many moving parts and new faces. Family intrigue with so many political ramifications made this an exciting chess game type intrigue.

[Kelechi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looooved these two together! I'm a sucker for the protector/princess trope. I also just loved the genuine, true, lovely female friendships present in this.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely read (or re-read) Deacon right before you read Ivan. The events in Deacon have a direct impact in this book, and I'd read it long enough ago that some details were fuzzy. Also, I recommend having a cast of characters handy, since there are a LOT of names tossed around and it's easy to confuse the various important families and who married into which and how everyone is related.

To be honest, I wasn't as excited for Ivan and Marciela's story as I was for Ana's. The princess and the bodyguard thing has never appealed to me, but it worked here since both leads were attracted to each other before Ivan took up his guard duty. And it also worked because there is a lot of other plot going on, with several other character's POV chapters, so there wasn't any time to dwell on those annoyingly mundane details that never make it into books (if Ivan has to use the restroom, where does he stash Marciela to keep her safe?)

When I say a lot of other plot going on, I mean both external and internal. A large chunk of the story takes place at a festival hosted by the Reyes family (like a dystopian version of a Regency house party!), so we get the details on party prep, the layout of the house, and how the hostess does her seating arrangements (which is pertinent b/c it's all about spreading the influential and wealthy out, and then bartering for access to them or trying to encourage courtships). Maricela is involved in a refugee housing project, and Ivan is still peripherally involved in the hunt for who called a hit on the Riders. We also see both of their internal struggles - Marciela gives everything to her people, yet still they demand more from her, and who is she to complain when she lives a pampered life? Ivan (and his mother) were shunned in the past for the actions of his uncles and he grew up dealing with a mother who has serious depression telling him to be more like his father - who died protecting the Rios family. Ivan has internalized that the only way to redeem his family name is to die honorably and ruthlessly pushes away any "good" feelings, even among the brotherhood of the Riders.

At certain points the story dragged a bit, or I felt like another plot line was introduced, only to be ignored there's a long-lost bastard Rios heir back on the scene, and another potential heroine is introduced briefly. She appears to be a product of another Eden program like Kora was?. However, I remember a couple points in the Beyond series where I was sure the authors had forgotten to deal with a plot point only to be proven wrong, so I hold onto that knowledge and hope for the best! One of the high points in the book are the relationships between friends. Even if Ivan feels like he's alone, the other Riders are always there for him, with quiet support or teasing and humor. Marciela and Nita are best friends who know and tease each other like sisters, and bond even more over their shared positions as powerful heiresses constantly being pressured to wed and make alliances. Some of that pressure may be easing though, as events in the last few chapters shake up the ruling families of One and seem to start a larger story arc as Gideon will likely be forced to make some decisions about the future structure and purpose of the Riders.

Spoilers have been revealed for the heroes and heroines for the next three books (Hunter and Nita, Gabe and Lauren (badass girl squad member, so is it too much to hope for a Six cameo?), and Reyes and Del (I assumed she was at least middle-aged, but I guess not?). I'm crossing fingers that Zeke and Grace get their turn soon, and it seems like a Gideon/Avery romance is being set up).


An advance reading copy of Ivan by Kit Rocha was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

[FV Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so good y’all. Desperate longing, we want to/but we shouldn’t, dirtysexyhotashell bodyguard/princess goodness.

Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-ivan-b...

Ivan is the third book in Kit Rocha’s Beyond spin-off series, Gideon’s Riders, and it features, you guessed it, Ivan. But this is just as much Maricela’s book as Ivan’s. Maybe more so. Maricela is the bright, beautiful, kind, loving youngest Rios sibling and a princess in Sector One. Ivan is her bodyguard and after the events in the previous installment, Deacon, Gideon (the leader of Sector One) isn’t taking any chances with his family and orders Ivan to stick close to her at all times. And Ivan will do anything for his princess.

Swoooooooon.

I went into this with a lot of anticipation because:

-I love anything Kit Rocha.
-I have a weakness for bodyguards falling in love, especially with princesses.
-There promised to be desperate longing and secret touches, and most likely lots and lots of dirty, deep, shhhh so no one can here you sexy times.

I was not disappointed. Ivan and Maricela were all of those things and more.

What I love the most about this series, and its predecessor Beyond, is that it’s sex positive and love focused. The heroines are strong and fabulous and kick ass. They are protective and loving. They are business owners and leaders and dancers and mothers and artists and well… amazing. They fall in love and their families are all made up differently, but there is always a deep love and commitment within them. Their heroes are tough and at times brooding and protective, but loving. This series is diverse and beautiful because of it. I love that there is acceptance in all forms and the feeling that family members will walk into hell for each other. I love the thought of pulling down walls and building a new way of life. I love that even the religious leaders in Sector One see the need to start change slowly, and knowing that love and happiness are important. Every book is different, but the world is the same and I love just being in the Sectors where anything is possible.

I’m really not going to dive to deeply into Ivan’s plot and all the many threads and hints at future pairings, mainly because I’m determined to avoid spoilers. Although, I think I finally figured out who Gideon is going to end up with and if I’m right OMG. So I’m just going to say that Maricela and Ivan are gorgeous together and here are just a few of my favorite quotes to prove it.

“Maricela.” Her name came out on a hoarse groan. “You have to stop touching me, or I’ll start touching you.
Her stomach clenched again, this time in anticipation. “You should. Because I think we’re already lovers–in every way but one.” She tilted her head back, entranced by the sheer hunger on his face. “Am I wrong?”

Do it Maricela, get your man.

He turned his head just enough for his lips to brush her ear. “I’ve been imagining this,” he whispered roughly. “How you’ll sound when you come. Show me.”

Bites lip

One of his hands skimmed up her spine to where the plunging back of her dress revealed her skin. His rough fingertips glided in a slow circle as he pulled her even closer. “I can take a night off from acting like your bodyguard,” he murmured, one thigh slipping between hers. “But I’ll always be protective. I’ll always be thinking about punching anyone who gets too close.”

Of course you will Ivan.

Tell me,” he groaned, sinking his hand into her hair to drag her head back. He forced her to stare up into his eyes, and the longing there was endless, so vast it threatened to swallow everything else. “Tell me.”
Only one thing mattered right now. Only one truth existed. “I love you.”

Happy sigh.

His thumb shifted, brushing corner of her mouth. “My princess.”

I really loved this installment. Ivan and Maricela were everything I thought they’d be. Final Grade-A

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally posted at RabidReads.ca.

4.5 stars

I was very excited to start the next book in the Gideon’s Riders series. I really love my time in the Sectors. In Sector One, Gideon Rios is not only the leader of the sector, but he is also the religious leader. All the people in the sector treat Gideon is divine. He is infallible in the people’s eyes. His grandfather is a prophet. The Riders are his soldiers. They protect the Rios family and the people of Sector One. They basically swear their life to the sector.

Ivan is a Rider with quite the history. His childhood was very difficult. His father died protecting one of the Rios family. His mother moves in with his uncles. They then do the unthinkable, they attack the Rios family. His mother was then shunned for the actions of her brothers. She had a hard time finding a job, which made raising her done very difficult. But Gideon didn’t hold such grudges against someone who did nothing wrong. He had no qualms about Ivan becoming a Rider. Ivan is even assigned to be the personal guard of Maricela, Gideon’s baby sister.

Maricela is no longer a child, but her older brother and sister don’t seem to see her as anything but innocent. But everyone is wanting her because of the access it would give them to Gideon. She lives the life of privilege, but it is a lonely existence. She doesn’t get to do things for herself. Everything is for what is best of the sector.

This series is so much fun. I really love all the Riders. Ivan is a brooder. He is very focused on being the best Rider he can be. He doesn’t take any time for himself. He works on keeping the sector safe. His hobby is cleaning his blades. Maricela is sweet and isn’t as innocent as she seems. Not only does she have a dirty side. She also has a secret of her own, which ways heavily on her.

This is a slow burn and forbidden romance. Bodyguards aren’t supposed fall in love with their charges. There is also action as there are deaths to investigate. There also has been people targeting the Riders. There is plenty of action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.

There are a few things I really loved in this book, that weren’t a huge part of the plot, but I loved them so much, I have to mention them.

1. Very early in the book, there is a scene where Maddox (from the Beyond series, Mad is cousin of Gideon). He and his family are visiting. I loved seeing the short scene with Mad, Dylan, Scarlet and Jyoti. Rachel, Cruz and Ace where also mentioned. It made me want to do a complete revisit of the Beyond series.
2. There is a scene towards the end of the book (no spoilers) with Ivan and his mother. It was so very sweet. I also loved his last line in that chapter. I would say more, but the spoiler.
3. I also love the covers. They are amazing.

After twenty years of trying so, so hard to overcome the legacy of his uncles, Ivan had discovered that blasphemy did, indeed, run through his blood. Because fantasizing about putting his hands and mouth all over the sheltered Rios princess had to be a least a little bit treasonous. Maybe he should focus on that. The treason. Add Gideon to his mental image. More specifically, Gideon finding out that Ivan wanted to do dirty, dirty things to Gideon’s baby sister. After all, Sector One might embrace love, but big brothers were frequent hypocrites.

He could protect Maricela from physical harm, but he couldn’t protect her from the demands of who she was. No matter how much he wanted to.

**Book was provided to me by the author. This review is my opinion and was not requested or provoked in anyway by the author.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

I continue to enjoy my audio revisit of the Gideon’s Riders series as we watch Ivan and Maricela come together. Ivan is another of one of Gideon’s Riders, kinda like Gideon’s personal guard/special ops team. Ivan isn’t just any rider, he is one that Gideon help save. Ivan’s father died when Ivan was still young, so he was left with just his mother. His uncles turned traitor and tried to kill off the Rios family. His mother got the brunt of what happened because everyone assumed she knew what the uncles were doing. So Ivan spent his childhood living on the streets at times. That is until Gideon found out and brought him into the fold and eventually made him a rider, though there are some in the sector who still look down on him.

Maricela is Gideon’s youngest sister. She was pretty young when her parents died and Gideon and her older sister, Isabelle finished raising her. They never stopped protecting her from everything they could. She didn’t really live in the real world. She was living in a gilded cage. She also felt she had the weight of the sector on her shoulders. She has to be “on” everytime she is out in public. She has to be the sector princess that she was.

Now, Sector One preaches love and family. But when you are part of the royal family (or one of the most powerful families in the sector), you don’t necessarily get to marry for love. Isabelle is pushing Maricela to marry and is looking at several of the suitors from other power families. It doesn’t matter if she marries a man or a woman, as long as they are from the right family.

Oh, and someone is still targeting the Rios family, which is why Gideon assigned one of his Riders to guild his treasured baby sister. Little did Gideon know, that Ivan and Maricela have quite the attraction to each other.

This is another great installment with wonderful characters, action, family drama, forbidden love. This is a fun world with a vast array of characters that really bring the world to life. I’m not one who readings books out of order (or at least I do it rarely), I think this series is best read in order. There are a lot of characters and knowing who is who and part of which family will be confusing if you start in the middle.

Lastly, I have to mention these covers. This series has some of my favorite covers that feature models (so photographs, not artwork). I love the costumes and settings. They all fit the characters and are just perfect.

Narration
Tatiana Sokolov continues to do a great job with the narration of this series. There is a large cast of characters, most of them male. She does a great job keeping all the voices distinct and fitting of the character’s personality. She’s also great with pacing and tone as we have action scenes, emotional scenes and sex scenes that are on point.

**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics is still the driving force in the Sectors. The Rios family is no exception to the corruption that is rampant in their sector. Gideon is feeling the repercussions of attacks against his Riders. Questions are swirling about who could be at the bottom of the attacks. Getting to the bottom of things rests completely on the shoulders of Gideon and the Riders.

As the youngest Rios, Maricela knows the pressures of living within the power struggles surrounding her family. Constant pressure from those wanting to gain favor with the Rios family weighs heavily on Maricela’s shoulders. The one thing that Maricela wants is something that she cannot have. A man who desires her for only her inner self. Someone to heat up her heart and her bed. That man is Ivan.

Shame and humiliation follow Ivan in spite of his status as a Rider. While his family committed treason long ago, Ivan has never been anything but loyal and sincere. When Ivan needed it most, Gideon offered the security and solitude of being a Rider. Something that Ivan takes seriously and completely to heart. Now that Ivan is slated to protect Maricela, his loyalty to Gideon is tested. After all, how can one man resist anything as beautiful as Maricela.

With his assignment sparking interest from the people of their sector, Ivan fights the attraction that surely is visible for all to see. As the two find themselves in danger, Ivan realizes that he can no longer keep his feelings for Maricela at bay. How will they handle the conflict that their status represents to their community, sector, and most of all Gideon?

Ivan and Maricel’s tale is one that I didn’t see coming!! I must admit, their story was one I thought I could ‘take or leave’ in regards to the series. What I found was an intricate back story to the plight and hierarchy of the Sector governed by the Rios family. Deceptions, secrets, and unseen enemies littered this tale of forbidden love. Making the story an enjoyable view of the Sector that the ‘royal family’ calls home.

The layout of life under Gideon’s reign is becoming layered in deception and greed by the minute. Following this leader and his Riders through the chaos is certainly complex, but is definitely engaging in spite of only having tidbits from our favorite O’Kanes. Mad does make an appearance in Ivan and Maricela’s story. Making the thrill of this plot even more enticing. With so much at stake for Gideon and the Riders, there seems to be more to this Sector that has yet to be uncovered.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
 
 
Ivan is the third book in the   Gideon's Riders series . It is a science fiction erotica, with a new couple in each book.  I think it helps to read them in order as the world building and character building continues throughout the series.

The story begins with some of the issues continuing from the book Deacon. You definitely need to read in order here. The pace is bogged down at the beginning with a bunch of religious aspects. There is also the attraction between Ivan and Maricela and all kinds of *stupid* reasons they can't act on it.

As much as the books in this series start out with characters who cling to past issues or try to hold to strict rules in a changing world, everything works out in the end. Character growth is always a good story.  Maricela starts out seeming like a spoiled, sheltered princess. But like the tales of the prince and the pauper where they change places, being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when you are the baby of the family.

I loved how they really cared about each other and paid attention to each other's needs. They were also willing to fight, so hard, for the other to be happy, even if it meant their own unhappiness.  Yeah, I was crying.   Another somehow unexpected and great book has captured my heart and mind.
 
Narration:
Tatiana Sokolov continues as the narrator, which I am enjoying. I did listen at 1.25x narration, rather than 1.5x speed I've managed recently. She somehow manages to capture all the characters and make me believe them. I like her male voices, as well as the female ones.

Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/user-149056452...
 

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big, broody, and stoic. Ivan's got it going on. He also has a past no one would envy and a raging case of admiration (to put it one way) for the princess of Sector One. Meanwhile, Maricela quietly chafes under the added protections Gideon has ordered while feeling guilty that she, the pampered princess, is complaining about anything at all.

Which brings me around to one of the things I REALLY liked about these two. While they're from very different worlds, they both feel guilty for things they shouldn't. Maricela feels like she leads such a charmed life (and in many ways she does) she doesn't have the right to complain. As for Ivan, because of the part his uncles played in the failed coup years ago, he feels like he'll never be good enough to overcome their betrayal. No, wait. That's not quite right. He feels unworthy. Period. For all he didn't have a part in what his uncles did and he payed for it as a child, the past left its mark on him.

He's closed off and really, REALLY stoic about things.

Maricela breaks through his stony exterior by being herself, but he's a Rider and she's a Rios and things could never happen between them. Right?

Being trapped by the past -- tradition in Maricela's case and the sense that he deserves whatever bad things happen to him in Ivan's -- is a big stumbling block they need to get over if they ever plan on finding their happily ever after. I have SO MUCH more I could say about how the children and grandchildren of the families are being smothered by the respective heads of their houses using them as pawns for political alliances, but, well, this will end up a little wordy. Let's just say that change needs to happen and it needs to happen soon because Maricela and her friends are starting to unravel a piece at a time and its an awful thing to watch.

Which just means I'm excited to see how Gideon and his Riders are going to make those changes happen.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Eri · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I've been anticipating Ivan is quite an understatement, since I've been madly in love with the entire world and set-up of Gideon's Riders since I first picked up Ashwin.

Maricela and Ivan had my heart from the opening pages and I love how loyal they both are to the core, with Maricela being the Rios princess who cares deeply about her people and Ivan being rock solid committed to his duty as a Rider. It makes their romance that much sweeter, knowing that they can't help but be drawn to each other in spite of those conflicting circumstances and duties.

Maricela struggles with being in the public eye and ever aware of her own image and duties, stifled by expectations and political entanglements, while Ivan is a soldier with a tainted family legacy, even as he struggles with his childhood and the burdens it brings.

While the romance is one that made me angst and swoon, what I think makes this book so truly special is the supportive cast that features in this book. Maricela has her brother and her friends, Avery, Nita, and Grace, who all care and worry for her. Ivan has his Riders, who are united by a band of loyalty and trust, as despite the scattered backgrounds they come from. I love seeing how interconnected this family is, and they hold a special place in my heart.

One of the most pleasantly surprising things about Ivan was how many scenes there were to get to know some of the later couples. Zeke and Grace are my first favorite of course, but I will admit Nita and Hunter snuck up on me in an unexpected way. It can be a bit daunting knowing there are at least four or five more books to go in this series, but the build-up is always worth it for Kit Rocha and I'm so excited to get each Rider's own story.

Ivan is another strong addition to the series and I couldn't help but fall in love even more with the characters in this world the complicated relationships they have with each other. Even though Gideon's Riders does have a large cast, I love that through small scenes and chapters we get to know the supporting characters and also read hints of their eventual romances in later books.

At the core, Gideon's Riders is a series about loyalty and trust, the bonds of family and friends, and finding love and acceptance as who you are.

Review copy provided courtesy of the author, thank you.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivan is the third book in the Gideon’s Riders series, and the romance between main characters Ivan and Maricela has been brewing since the first story. Theirs is a star-crossed romance of sorts: she’s a royal princess with obligations to her family and people while he’s one of the Riders, a commoner with a tainted past. With Ivan assigned to be Maricela’s personal bodyguard, the pair grow incredibly close, and the sparks that flared before this assignment grow and ignite. It’s a taboo relationship in more ways than one, yet once they give into their desires, the pair cannot stop and step away.

As with the previous books in this series, the primary romance is powerful and strong, but tempered by the harsh conditions of the world. Maricela lives in a gilded cage and Ivan lives under the weight of the sins of his uncles. The pair must deal with the realities of her position and his family’s legacy, and I like that the authors don’t tie things up with pretty bows. This creates powerful emotional reactions and a stronger romance in the end.

My one complaint this time around is the sheer volume of characters and important figures tossed out at the listener. The politics of Sector One are made all the more complicated by the number of players on the field, and I had a tough time keeping it all straight. The authors are weaving a web and setting the stage that will provide fodder for books to come, but I struggled to keep up at times.

Narration: the book is shared via 3rd person POVs; primarily Ivan and Maricela, with a few other supporting characters. Regardless of which POV is narrating the chapter, Ms. Sokolov uses a neutral feminine voice, and it is easy to follow and pleasing to listen to. Ms. Sokolov alters the voices for each character during dialogue, with each voice mildly distinctive from the others. Her male voices are appropriately deeper and not overly feminine; however, sometimes the males sound similar. The female voices are similar to the narrator, but distinct enough to separate out. The only time I had difficulty discerning who was speaking was during times of heavy dialogue between two characters of the same gender.

In the end, I enjoy Ivan and Maricela’s story. They fight for their love, which in the end, makes it all worth the listen!

My Ratings:
Story: B+
Narration: B

Review copy provided by Tantor Audio.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads*

~3.75 Stars~
I love this world that Kit Rocha has created, I'm a Broken Circle [Sector 4] junkie. I can NEVER get enough of life in the sectors: the struggles, the relationships, the politics - all of it's amazing!

On that note, lets discuss Book 3 in the Gideon's Riders series.

Maricela Rios is the princess of Sector 1, she's the youngest sibling in the Rios ("ruling") family. She's tired of being treated as a child, but being considered royalty doesn't leave much opportunity for freedom. I was excited to read her story - I wanted to learn more about the family, and her place in it.
Ivan is the Rider assigned to protecting the princess, her full-time bodyguard. He takes his responsibilities very seriously, and has good reason for it. Trying to make up for the mistakes of his family, he's in a tough position.

As I said above, I love this world and the romantic relationships that are built in it. The connection between Ivan and Maricela has been slowly building, with mentions in previous books. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the burning chemistry between them.
Ivan seemed rather one dimensional and I don't know if that's how he was intended or if it's just me. I did enjoy the glimpse into Sector 1's family, and the struggles that accompany the elevated station of any Rios. I was hoping for more interactions between Maricela and her big brother, Gideon.

Overall, this was another good book in this Gideon's Riders series - it's just not my favorite.