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Iriduan Test Subjects #3
The Serpent's Mate
Cass
After an alien abduction puts Cass in the clutches of an Iriduan pirate queen, she’s unexpectedly rescued by an alien with a snake-like lower body and a surprisingly handsome face. But Cass isn’t sure she’s actually safe with him, because he looks at her with hunger in his eyes.
***
Nahash
Iriduan scientists performed drastic alterations to Nahash’s biology using genetic engineering. Though it turned him into a naga, they told him he was now free from the affliction that causes Iriduan males to bond to a single female for life. He isn't prepared when he suddenly imprints on a human female that he rescues during a raid on a pirate colony.
Now, he’s stuck with her, because if he isn’t exposed to his mate’s scent on a regular basis, he will die. The fact that his body craves her as much as it needs her fills him with resentment, but when he realizes that the Iriduan Empire will do anything to keep her under their control because of what she means to him, he doesn’t hesitate to protect his mate—even if it means betraying his people.
***
This book is the third book in the Iriduan Test Subjects series. Don’t miss the other monsters and aliens in the following
Book 1: The Scorpion’s Mate
Book 2: The Kraken’s Mate
Book 3: The Serpent’s Mate
Book 4: The Warrior’s Mate
Book 5: The Hunter’s Mate
Book 6: The Fractured Mate
Book 7: The Iriduan’s Mate
Book 8: The Clone’s Mate
Content warning for all the books in the series can be found on the author’s website.
After an alien abduction puts Cass in the clutches of an Iriduan pirate queen, she’s unexpectedly rescued by an alien with a snake-like lower body and a surprisingly handsome face. But Cass isn’t sure she’s actually safe with him, because he looks at her with hunger in his eyes.
***
Nahash
Iriduan scientists performed drastic alterations to Nahash’s biology using genetic engineering. Though it turned him into a naga, they told him he was now free from the affliction that causes Iriduan males to bond to a single female for life. He isn't prepared when he suddenly imprints on a human female that he rescues during a raid on a pirate colony.
Now, he’s stuck with her, because if he isn’t exposed to his mate’s scent on a regular basis, he will die. The fact that his body craves her as much as it needs her fills him with resentment, but when he realizes that the Iriduan Empire will do anything to keep her under their control because of what she means to him, he doesn’t hesitate to protect his mate—even if it means betraying his people.
***
This book is the third book in the Iriduan Test Subjects series. Don’t miss the other monsters and aliens in the following
Book 1: The Scorpion’s Mate
Book 2: The Kraken’s Mate
Book 3: The Serpent’s Mate
Book 4: The Warrior’s Mate
Book 5: The Hunter’s Mate
Book 6: The Fractured Mate
Book 7: The Iriduan’s Mate
Book 8: The Clone’s Mate
Content warning for all the books in the series can be found on the author’s website.
362 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2018
703 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
Susan Trombley
32 books842 followersBorn a dragon, but forced to take human form to fit into those little baby carriers, Susan accepted that she'd have to live a mortal life. She just wasn't going to go around being all boring about it. As soon as she was old enough, she immediately applied for an alien abduction, but got wait-listed, so she made her lair in the desert to wait out the coming zombie apocalypse with a pair of magical cats (they can appear underfoot in an instant, usually at the steps) and the dog from Hades that has three heads (and now has three bodies to go with them).
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
April 2, 2021
Strange Universe!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💙❤️🧡
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙
World building: 🌏🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
The Setting: Space
The Hero(s): Nahash - an Iriduan male who served his planet in the military, he then volunteered to be a test subject. The Iriduan people go through a metamorphosis between the teen and adult years much like a caterpillar into a butterfly. The geneticists told him that he was signing up for some experiment that would make him go through a second metamorphosis to make him an enhanced soldier. However, the snake DNA they spliced with his took over much more than expected.
The heroine: Cass - she was abducted from Earth and sold to a woman who collected female pheromones in order to catch unsuspecting males with. Once an Iriduan male smelled the scent of his mate, he needed it to survive, so it not only made the males addicted to the scent similarly to a drug, but once mated the males are under the control of the female.
The Love Story: Nahash is the best weapon his society has. On a mission to take out a pirate base, he catches wind of Cass’s scent. She is his mate and he can’t ignore it so he saves her. However, he soon realizes that his superiors will use her to control him. Also, since she is now so valuable, they will also have a bunch of men in the military smell her pheromones and become her harem because multiple men can be mated to one female.
Nahash not only wants Cass for himself, but knows that if given a choice between the more human looking Iriduans in the military and himself with his snakelike appearance, he stands no choice, so he escapes with Cass.
I like the story, it is a good one, though I got a bit disturbed by how non-humanoid he was. Though he is intelligent and has an upper body which is more human-like it is still covered in scales. His genitalia is like that of a snake (2 peens). What freaked me out the most was how Nahash was thinking of how his eating habits differ from hers.
.
It is one thing for aliens in books to be humanoid versions of a different species, but another to be barely human versions of an animal like a snake. I suppose it shouldn’t matter if they are intelligent life forms, but I guess I just couldn’t wrap my head around it!
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💙❤️🧡
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📘📗📕📙
World building: 🌏🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
The Setting: Space
The Hero(s): Nahash - an Iriduan male who served his planet in the military, he then volunteered to be a test subject. The Iriduan people go through a metamorphosis between the teen and adult years much like a caterpillar into a butterfly. The geneticists told him that he was signing up for some experiment that would make him go through a second metamorphosis to make him an enhanced soldier. However, the snake DNA they spliced with his took over much more than expected.
The heroine: Cass - she was abducted from Earth and sold to a woman who collected female pheromones in order to catch unsuspecting males with. Once an Iriduan male smelled the scent of his mate, he needed it to survive, so it not only made the males addicted to the scent similarly to a drug, but once mated the males are under the control of the female.
The Love Story: Nahash is the best weapon his society has. On a mission to take out a pirate base, he catches wind of Cass’s scent. She is his mate and he can’t ignore it so he saves her. However, he soon realizes that his superiors will use her to control him. Also, since she is now so valuable, they will also have a bunch of men in the military smell her pheromones and become her harem because multiple men can be mated to one female.
Nahash not only wants Cass for himself, but knows that if given a choice between the more human looking Iriduans in the military and himself with his snakelike appearance, he stands no choice, so he escapes with Cass.
I like the story, it is a good one, though I got a bit disturbed by how non-humanoid he was. Though he is intelligent and has an upper body which is more human-like it is still covered in scales. His genitalia is like that of a snake (2 peens). What freaked me out the most was how Nahash was thinking of how his eating habits differ from hers.
.
“His teeth and jaw were not designed for chewing, and since the metamorphosis, he’d learned to swallow his food whole. Now accustomed to eating a much larger portion than the ration meals provided, he’d learned to prefer live prey that he squeezed to death before swallowing, expanding his jaw to fit his mouth around it.”
It is one thing for aliens in books to be humanoid versions of a different species, but another to be barely human versions of an animal like a snake. I suppose it shouldn’t matter if they are intelligent life forms, but I guess I just couldn’t wrap my head around it!
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August 17, 2019
This is the third book in the Iriduan Test Subjects series and again I enjoyed this very much.
These stories are becoming a real guilty pleasure for me and I do so love the complete alienness of the males featured in them.
Aliens that look like aliens are so my bag.
Abducted from Earth while rescuing a stray cat and purchased for her strong pheromones Cass finds herself a prisoner on a pirate planet.
Enter Nahash an Iriduan spiced with some big serpent DNA which has caused him to mutate form massively.
This one is slightly different than it's predecessors as Nahash is actually a warrior and sympathetic and loyal to his people that is until he catches a whiff of his human mate while on his current mission to a pirate planet.
He unhappily imprints on her resenting the whole thing and her but unable to do anything but protect Cass even if that means turning traitor to his beloved empire.
Nahash's Resentment gradually morphs into admiration and warmth as he slowly realises he actually likes just who Cass is as a person as well as a mate.
The way he says her name with a snake hiss at the end was sexy as hell and I also really adored Nahash's unique form with the Iriduan torso but his bottom half being all serpent.
His hesitancy and lack of confidence initially with Cass was also so sweet he was worried that because of his outward appearance she would only ever see him as a monster.
This helped humanise him slightly to her despite his scary persona.
Cass, I adored that she was a normal forty plus woman with flaws and all.
I loved that because of her age she had such a maturity and self-reliance when dealing with Nashash and also her current situation.
She was such a pragmatic individual and also knew exactly what she wanted she really was a fantastic heroine and more than a match for Nahash.
This one was also super-steamy in content and also action-filled throughout.
I also really appreciated seeing the cast from the previous two books briefly at the close of this.
It was so lovely to catch up with the rest of the gang.
This is a great series that delivers every time a big thumbs up from my camp.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
March 6, 2020
Going into this, I thought I wouldn't be able to get passed Nahash's appearance (he has two penises... 🙃). While his description was not appealing-the descriptions of his movements were particularly unpleasant,he was interesting. The first hero to be Irudian by birth and sympathetic to their cause.
Unfortunately, it always felt like I was being told about him rather than "seeing" him. Cass was "shown" more but I didn't like what I saw.😂 ST kept telling me she was strong and brave, but showing her to be naive and kind of dumb.
Still this was a solid three star book until the extended "dream". It was a silly plot device that led to one of Cass's many kidnappings. I would have skimmed this if I had known she'd be a damsel in distress for the ENTIRE book.
Safe Completely - he's never even been kissed, She's been celibate for a year.
Unfortunately, it always felt like I was being told about him rather than "seeing" him. Cass was "shown" more but I didn't like what I saw.😂 ST kept telling me she was strong and brave, but showing her to be naive and kind of dumb.
Still this was a solid three star book until the extended "dream". It was a silly plot device that led to one of Cass's many kidnappings. I would have skimmed this if I had known she'd be a damsel in distress for the ENTIRE book.
Safe Completely - he's never even been kissed, She's been celibate for a year.
November 21, 2018
We are on the final book in the Iriduan Test Subject series and so far Trombley has managed to turn a monster scorpion/humanoid hybrid and a cephalopod/humanoid hybrid into fantastic heroes, can she do the same with a serpent/humanoid combo? Damn right she can.But it wasn't just Nahash, our scaled, tailed and double cocked hero that I liked. Cass our heroine was an older character, I believe in her 40s, and it brought a level of maturity and confidence to her reactions, especially her attraction to Nahash that you don't always find in younger heroines. So, although the story in this one isn't my favourite, I did fall in love with the hero and heroine.
Trombley opens up a lot of possibilities in this book for the continuing books set in the universe, however, I felt it was at the deficit to the overall story in this series. Although the romance gets a really good conclusion, it was not a good end to the series over all. It left too much unanswered. I know that Trombley plans to write more, but I feel that a completed trilogy should leave a reader feeling more satisfied than this one did.
But, that wouldn't stop me from recommending the book to anyone who enjoys a great sci-fi alien romance where the aliens are alien. I enjoyed the romance aspect of this story and I look forward to whatever Susan Trombley brings out next.
Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
June 24, 2023
Even better the second time
Cass finds herself abducted from earth and being used as a source of pheromones to enslave Iriduan males. She’s rescued/abducted by Nahash, another test subject who volunteered for his experimentation to server his empire. He resents that he scent bonded to her.
The characters in this book were much more fleshed out than the previous 2 books, mostly because Nahash had a past beyond being an animalistic life-form before experimentation. The emotions the 2 MCs had for each other were complicated but valid and beautiful. This book also had intense plot twists that drove the main storyline forward.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: abduction, slavery, severe depression, torture - Author details on her website
Cass finds herself abducted from earth and being used as a source of pheromones to enslave Iriduan males. She’s rescued/abducted by Nahash, another test subject who volunteered for his experimentation to server his empire. He resents that he scent bonded to her.
The characters in this book were much more fleshed out than the previous 2 books, mostly because Nahash had a past beyond being an animalistic life-form before experimentation. The emotions the 2 MCs had for each other were complicated but valid and beautiful. This book also had intense plot twists that drove the main storyline forward.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: abduction, slavery, severe depression, torture - Author details on her website
March 11, 2019
1.5 stars
This book was really slow and boring forcing me to skim read a lot. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters or the plot. The hero is a snake from the chest down, he has forked tongue like a snake, he slithers and can crush others with his coils and i found that a bit too creepy and off putting. I've already bought the other books on this series so I hope the stories get better.
This book was really slow and boring forcing me to skim read a lot. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters or the plot. The hero is a snake from the chest down, he has forked tongue like a snake, he slithers and can crush others with his coils and i found that a bit too creepy and off putting. I've already bought the other books on this series so I hope the stories get better.
November 10, 2018
Mostly interesting but I started to lose interest as the story dragged on a bit.
The ending was a bit too sappy happy.
The ending was a bit too sappy happy.
September 18, 2019
2.5 stars.
I... didn’t really like it. And I’m SO SAD that I didn’t because I love reptile aliens, but I really just found myself not really into this one. I was at a 3 star rating for most of the book, sort of enjoying it but not like the first two in the series, and then somewhere around the time when Halian ‘pretends’ to be someone else, I started to really lose interest. I’m STILL confused about that happened. I’m confused about him being different all the time, I’m confused as to any motives he ever has, and then when he’s with the guys to take her with the warriors from the previous books? I was like wait, what?! I don’t know if I missed some shit but it really felt out of left field, especially with his POV’s. I don’t know, maybe it did all make sense and I wasn’t paying enough attention.
I liked the Hunter, I thought his scenes were the best, that dream creature was creepy as hell and we ended up in his POV when it was shown, so I think that’s why I ended up enjoying him more than the main story?
I didn’t really have a problem with the characters, but at the same time I did. She’s over 40 and I wouldn’t say that shows, like, ever? I don’t want to say she didn’t act her age, but I do think she didn’t talk or think like someone with that many years of life under her belt. Like when she got pregnant she wasn’t like woah I never thought that’d happen for me because of my age. I don’t even know how old he was, I was hoping it’d turn out he was kinda young compared to her, but nothing really came up. Even with his virginity it was pretty much glossed over and forgotten pretty quickly.
Overall I think the book was OK, but I cannot say I liked it. I’m going to read more in the series, but I’m really hoping they improve.
Also, the endings of these books aren’t good. There’s a huge section of story that isn’t really part of the romance at all to wrap certain things up and lead up to the new characters, but they’re LARGE sections. It’s what kept me from loving the last book too because it takes you out of the romance and feels like it drags on to tell you a few more things. They’re not really needed in my opinion, or could be shorter and not right at the end? Unsure, but they make it feel weird.
I... didn’t really like it. And I’m SO SAD that I didn’t because I love reptile aliens, but I really just found myself not really into this one. I was at a 3 star rating for most of the book, sort of enjoying it but not like the first two in the series, and then somewhere around the time when Halian ‘pretends’ to be someone else, I started to really lose interest. I’m STILL confused about that happened. I’m confused about him being different all the time, I’m confused as to any motives he ever has, and then when he’s with the guys to take her with the warriors from the previous books? I was like wait, what?! I don’t know if I missed some shit but it really felt out of left field, especially with his POV’s. I don’t know, maybe it did all make sense and I wasn’t paying enough attention.
I liked the Hunter, I thought his scenes were the best, that dream creature was creepy as hell and we ended up in his POV when it was shown, so I think that’s why I ended up enjoying him more than the main story?
I didn’t really have a problem with the characters, but at the same time I did. She’s over 40 and I wouldn’t say that shows, like, ever? I don’t want to say she didn’t act her age, but I do think she didn’t talk or think like someone with that many years of life under her belt. Like when she got pregnant she wasn’t like woah I never thought that’d happen for me because of my age. I don’t even know how old he was, I was hoping it’d turn out he was kinda young compared to her, but nothing really came up. Even with his virginity it was pretty much glossed over and forgotten pretty quickly.
Overall I think the book was OK, but I cannot say I liked it. I’m going to read more in the series, but I’m really hoping they improve.
Also, the endings of these books aren’t good. There’s a huge section of story that isn’t really part of the romance at all to wrap certain things up and lead up to the new characters, but they’re LARGE sections. It’s what kept me from loving the last book too because it takes you out of the romance and feels like it drags on to tell you a few more things. They’re not really needed in my opinion, or could be shorter and not right at the end? Unsure, but they make it feel weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2020
This is the third book in the series, and for some reason I didn’t think it sounded as interesting, but I’m glad I read it anyway because I enjoyed it the most out of the first three. Nahash is difficult to like at first; he is prickly and even resentful that he has imprinted on Cass, but he grows into a loving and supportive mate.
It was a slow burn, but I liked the storyline—it kept me turning pages, and I didn’t have to drag myself through any of the parts.
The more alien romances I read, the more I appreciate Susan Trombley’s books. The heroes are a nice break from the typical human-looking aliens in a lot of other books, the world building is good, and the heroines are varied and relatable. I will definitely be reading the next in the series!
It was a slow burn, but I liked the storyline—it kept me turning pages, and I didn’t have to drag myself through any of the parts.
The more alien romances I read, the more I appreciate Susan Trombley’s books. The heroes are a nice break from the typical human-looking aliens in a lot of other books, the world building is good, and the heroines are varied and relatable. I will definitely be reading the next in the series!
November 15, 2018
This series is one of my favorites, I’m a big fan of everything alien, and you cannot get more Alien Susan Trombley, she has this amazing talent to humanize the most alien-looking H, by the end of the book you will wish for your own Iridual experiment to take home. I am proof of that; I’m still dreaming with my very own Thrax, or Nemon or Nahash.
June 19, 2020
It picked up again at 72% percent. I had paused the read because it kind of turned me off. I felt a little disappointed with some details. Thank God a pushed forward and got through the breach between 50-60%. It redeemed itself after that part. So I enjoyed the twist. Review when I'm ready.
May 3, 2020
Came for the promise of weird alien sex, stayed for the interesting worldbuilding and Halian.
March 29, 2022
'She savored the taste of him, which was surprisingly fresh, crisp, and sweet. It made her think of an apple, which drew her back to the image of forbidden fruit. She wondered if Eve would have settled for the kind that came off the tree, if she could have tasted the devil’s kiss.'
accurate rating: 3.5 stars
I thought I might dislike this, as it started out rather rocky . . . but the world-building and character development really sucked me in. Not exactly as much a naga story as I thought, but the Iriduan culture revelations and explanations were fun, as was the lengthy author note at the end giving the reasons for plot decisions and such. Still kinda wished this had been a reverse harem, as that aspect of the Iriduan society piqued my interest, but it still worked out well in the end. Also, having an older heroine (40+) was a neat change from the younger average age for heroines.
accurate rating: 3.5 stars
I thought I might dislike this, as it started out rather rocky . . . but the world-building and character development really sucked me in. Not exactly as much a naga story as I thought, but the Iriduan culture revelations and explanations were fun, as was the lengthy author note at the end giving the reasons for plot decisions and such. Still kinda wished this had been a reverse harem, as that aspect of the Iriduan society piqued my interest, but it still worked out well in the end. Also, having an older heroine (40+) was a neat change from the younger average age for heroines.
November 17, 2018
Wow
The details and other worldliness that Susan Trombley weaves into her characters is amazing. I love the vocabulary that she uses to evoke such vivid imagery. Nahash was an amazing hero, and I love how Cass grounded him while finding the lightness in herself. I have to admit that I hate snakes. So much of the slithering gave me the absolute willies, but I couldn’t put the book down. This is a great book to read if you want to face your Ophidiophobia, but I freely admit I still hate snakes.
The details and other worldliness that Susan Trombley weaves into her characters is amazing. I love the vocabulary that she uses to evoke such vivid imagery. Nahash was an amazing hero, and I love how Cass grounded him while finding the lightness in herself. I have to admit that I hate snakes. So much of the slithering gave me the absolute willies, but I couldn’t put the book down. This is a great book to read if you want to face your Ophidiophobia, but I freely admit I still hate snakes.
November 8, 2018
Good addition to the series
Aliens.
Gotta love me some alien romance.
I like the struggles they had and the story explained the good and the bad of imprinting.
I didn't understand the FMC hot/cold reactions to sexual actions towards the beginning of the story. She really did lead him in and I felt bad for him.
Can't wait for more books in the series.
Aliens.
Gotta love me some alien romance.
I like the struggles they had and the story explained the good and the bad of imprinting.
I didn't understand the FMC hot/cold reactions to sexual actions towards the beginning of the story. She really did lead him in and I felt bad for him.
Can't wait for more books in the series.
April 29, 2021
3.5 Stars
This was a super exciting read with some great steamy scenes in it, and I really enjoyed it! This smut in this book is not for the faint of heart! Our snake guy is not even remotely human-looking, and he was endowed like his reptile cousins and well, let's just say that our heroine was up to the challenge! I appreciated that because you don't just introduce that kind of thing and not go where everyone knows it needs to go. It takes courage to write that, and I was so into it!
Nahash was totally sexy, and I loved him. If you can't handle completely non-human-looking heroes, then this book is not for you. Susan Trombley is NOT shy about making her aliens look ALIEN and that's part of what I enjoy the most about this series.
**spoilers ahead - romance safety warning**
The reason for my lower rating is, partway through the book, Cass and Nahash are separated for a long time, and she is pushed to form a harem like a good Iriduan female since she is told she will never see him again. To her credit, she resists valiantly and I don't blame her for being lonely. But she gets close to another man who is wanting to have sex with her and even gets aroused by him, and that just didn't work for me.
I'm not a fan of reverse harem or menage because I like my MCs to be devoted to each other and ONLY each other, and it felt wayyy too much like cheating when Cass let another man massage her, hold her, etc, especially knowing that man wanted to have sex with her. For me, it tarnished her whole relationship with Nahash. I felt like she wasn't worthy of him anymore, especially knowing what he was suffering while she was doing all that.
I almost think this book should have a warning for people who don't like cheating (ME!!!!!) because it totally dampened my enjoyment of their HEA. I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth at the end, which was a real bummer because I was super invested in them as a couple up until that point.
This was a super exciting read with some great steamy scenes in it, and I really enjoyed it! This smut in this book is not for the faint of heart! Our snake guy is not even remotely human-looking, and he was endowed like his reptile cousins and well, let's just say that our heroine was up to the challenge! I appreciated that because you don't just introduce that kind of thing and not go where everyone knows it needs to go. It takes courage to write that, and I was so into it!
Nahash was totally sexy, and I loved him. If you can't handle completely non-human-looking heroes, then this book is not for you. Susan Trombley is NOT shy about making her aliens look ALIEN and that's part of what I enjoy the most about this series.
**spoilers ahead - romance safety warning**
The reason for my lower rating is, partway through the book, Cass and Nahash are separated for a long time, and she is pushed to form a harem like a good Iriduan female since she is told she will never see him again. To her credit, she resists valiantly and I don't blame her for being lonely. But she gets close to another man who is wanting to have sex with her and even gets aroused by him, and that just didn't work for me.
I'm not a fan of reverse harem or menage because I like my MCs to be devoted to each other and ONLY each other, and it felt wayyy too much like cheating when Cass let another man massage her, hold her, etc, especially knowing that man wanted to have sex with her. For me, it tarnished her whole relationship with Nahash. I felt like she wasn't worthy of him anymore, especially knowing what he was suffering while she was doing all that.
I almost think this book should have a warning for people who don't like cheating (ME!!!!!) because it totally dampened my enjoyment of their HEA. I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth at the end, which was a real bummer because I was super invested in them as a couple up until that point.
December 30, 2023
I wish I could say I lost a bet, but no, it’s curiosity that killed this cat.
November 4, 2018
MAN, I like these aliens. They're not the typical humanoid aliens (although they're humanoid enough to get busy with humans if you know what I mean!) (and really, how can you not. I'm virtually waggling my eyebrows here in a suggestive manner), but they work for me.
Nahash is more snake than Iriduan after the experiments the Iriduan scientists conducted on him. Despite that, he's still loyal to his people. Coming across Cass during a mission and figuring out how his people would use her to keep him in line, has him questioning everything.
For her part, Cass is kind of lost. She's been ripped from her planet and is dealing with the realization that aliens are real. Plus, you know, she's been sold into slavery. Which blows. Then she finds herself unintentionally bonded to a Iriduan test subject and...well, things work out nicely from there. Eventually. After a boatload of danger and a forced estrangement. Which, again, blows.
I'm completely digging this series. I like the non-human aspects of the aliens and how dedicated they are to their special someone. On the other hand, I could see how terrible being bonded to someone who didn't love you could be. I'm kinda hoping we get to see some resolution about that particular quirk in Iriduan biology eventually. *gazes longingly at the hint of a spin-off series*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Nahash is more snake than Iriduan after the experiments the Iriduan scientists conducted on him. Despite that, he's still loyal to his people. Coming across Cass during a mission and figuring out how his people would use her to keep him in line, has him questioning everything.
For her part, Cass is kind of lost. She's been ripped from her planet and is dealing with the realization that aliens are real. Plus, you know, she's been sold into slavery. Which blows. Then she finds herself unintentionally bonded to a Iriduan test subject and...well, things work out nicely from there. Eventually. After a boatload of danger and a forced estrangement. Which, again, blows.
I'm completely digging this series. I like the non-human aspects of the aliens and how dedicated they are to their special someone. On the other hand, I could see how terrible being bonded to someone who didn't love you could be. I'm kinda hoping we get to see some resolution about that particular quirk in Iriduan biology eventually. *gazes longingly at the hint of a spin-off series*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
November 13, 2018
We are on the final book in the Iriduan Test Subject series and so far Trombley has managed to turn a monster scorpion/humanoid hybrid and a cephalopod/humanoid hybrid into fantastic heroes, can she do the same with a serpent/humanoid combo? Damn right she can.
But it wasn't just Nahash, our scaled, tailed and double cocked hero that I liked. Cass our heroine was an older character, I believe in her 40s, and it brought a level of maturity and confidence to her reactions, especially her attraction to Nahash that you don't always find in younger heroines. So, although the story in this one isn't my favourite, I did fall in love with the hero and heroine.
Trombley opens up a lot of possibilities in this book for the continuing books set in the universe, however, I felt it was at the deficit to the overall story in this series. Although the romance gets a really good conclusion, it was not a good end to the series over all. It left too much unanswered. I know that Trombley plans to write more, but I feel that a completed trilogy should leave a reader feeling more satisfied than this one did.
But, that wouldn't stop me from recommending the book to anyone who enjoys a great sci-fi alien romance where the aliens are alien. I enjoyed the romance aspect of this story and I look forward to whatever Susan Trombley brings out next.
But it wasn't just Nahash, our scaled, tailed and double cocked hero that I liked. Cass our heroine was an older character, I believe in her 40s, and it brought a level of maturity and confidence to her reactions, especially her attraction to Nahash that you don't always find in younger heroines. So, although the story in this one isn't my favourite, I did fall in love with the hero and heroine.
Trombley opens up a lot of possibilities in this book for the continuing books set in the universe, however, I felt it was at the deficit to the overall story in this series. Although the romance gets a really good conclusion, it was not a good end to the series over all. It left too much unanswered. I know that Trombley plans to write more, but I feel that a completed trilogy should leave a reader feeling more satisfied than this one did.
But, that wouldn't stop me from recommending the book to anyone who enjoys a great sci-fi alien romance where the aliens are alien. I enjoyed the romance aspect of this story and I look forward to whatever Susan Trombley brings out next.
April 7, 2021
Serpent Guy Nahash and Animal-loving Businesswoman Cass
I really think that the world-building and the background plot in this series keep getting more fleshed out and more interesting; but Nahash was a petulant child who really grated on my nerves. Cass was compassionate and driven and I really feel like she deserved a man with a better personality. Nahash is resentful and sullen and only starts treating Cass with respect once she "puts out" ... which is the opposite of real respect.
I liked the plot surrounding Halian and also the Menops Hunter A LOT, also all the cameos of previous heroes and heroines. The side characters were also a nice addition, especially since there were two Iriduan women, Cici and Jia in this book. Cici's plot was really sad though, so I hope she'll find happiness and will be mentioned again in the series.
I really think that the world-building and the background plot in this series keep getting more fleshed out and more interesting; but Nahash was a petulant child who really grated on my nerves. Cass was compassionate and driven and I really feel like she deserved a man with a better personality. Nahash is resentful and sullen and only starts treating Cass with respect once she "puts out" ... which is the opposite of real respect.
I liked the plot surrounding Halian and also the Menops Hunter A LOT, also all the cameos of previous heroes and heroines. The side characters were also a nice addition, especially since there were two Iriduan women, Cici and Jia in this book. Cici's plot was really sad though, so I hope she'll find happiness and will be mentioned again in the series.
December 28, 2019
Gaaahhhh what a sexy hero! There's angst.... so much yummy angst. :D
Points taken off for TSTL moments of heroine.
Oh I should add, I find the Iriduans so intriguing that I'm now in a book funk while I fantasise about having my own harem, LOL.
Points taken off for TSTL moments of heroine.
Oh I should add, I find the Iriduans so intriguing that I'm now in a book funk while I fantasise about having my own harem, LOL.
August 1, 2021
Older heroine meets alien super soldier and sparks fly
Career minded Cass Never expected to be abducted by giant hulking aliens and taken to a plush bower that is essentially a pheromone factory. But abducted she was, and then saved by the most unlikely of heroes: Nahash a genetically engineered serpentlike super soldier. And due to a quart of biology, he and Prince upon her as his mate. Now the two are on the run because if his handlers capture Cass they’ll be able to control Nahash through her. So it’s a race through space and who knows if they’ll be able to find shelter from the storm.
—
This is a fun alien-lover romance Featuring and over 40 heroine and a hero who is essentially a giant serpent like creature with two penises.
That said there needs to be some warnings for this book. There is attempted rape, dubious consent, sex pollen, pregnant woman endangerment, animal endangerment, abduction, sexism, misogyny, disassociative identity disorder,and medical trauma. Make sure that you’re in a good place before reading this book
So I liked this book . I really did. I liked that Cass despite her background was as competent as she could be. I liked that Nahash wasn’t so alpha male that he refused to listen to Cassis suggestions. I like that this plot wasn’t a repeat of the previous two plots and that we were introduced to a new world and some new antagonists. But I didn’t love a couple of things about this book. For instance, I didn’t like the Change from first person POV that the first two books ran into a third person POV. While the author explained her choice in an authors note, it still is a jarring shift from the prior two books. And it’s a shift that I’m not certain was fully necessary. Additionally, I didn’t love the sort of dubious consent that is present in this relationship. Nahash has very little agency when it comes to his relationship with Cass. He can’t leave her. Ever. Or he’ll die. And while he feels excepting of that it’s a bit dubious. I also felt the middle was weak in this book it wasn’t bad but it was just weaker than the other two books. I’m also not certain that this book should have been where it was in the series order. But this is the developmental editor in me picking this apart. LOL.
But ultimately I did like this but it did scratch an itch for me. And I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Four Stars
Career minded Cass Never expected to be abducted by giant hulking aliens and taken to a plush bower that is essentially a pheromone factory. But abducted she was, and then saved by the most unlikely of heroes: Nahash a genetically engineered serpentlike super soldier. And due to a quart of biology, he and Prince upon her as his mate. Now the two are on the run because if his handlers capture Cass they’ll be able to control Nahash through her. So it’s a race through space and who knows if they’ll be able to find shelter from the storm.
—
This is a fun alien-lover romance Featuring and over 40 heroine and a hero who is essentially a giant serpent like creature with two penises.
That said there needs to be some warnings for this book. There is attempted rape, dubious consent, sex pollen, pregnant woman endangerment, animal endangerment, abduction, sexism, misogyny, disassociative identity disorder,and medical trauma. Make sure that you’re in a good place before reading this book
So I liked this book . I really did. I liked that Cass despite her background was as competent as she could be. I liked that Nahash wasn’t so alpha male that he refused to listen to Cassis suggestions. I like that this plot wasn’t a repeat of the previous two plots and that we were introduced to a new world and some new antagonists. But I didn’t love a couple of things about this book. For instance, I didn’t like the Change from first person POV that the first two books ran into a third person POV. While the author explained her choice in an authors note, it still is a jarring shift from the prior two books. And it’s a shift that I’m not certain was fully necessary. Additionally, I didn’t love the sort of dubious consent that is present in this relationship. Nahash has very little agency when it comes to his relationship with Cass. He can’t leave her. Ever. Or he’ll die. And while he feels excepting of that it’s a bit dubious. I also felt the middle was weak in this book it wasn’t bad but it was just weaker than the other two books. I’m also not certain that this book should have been where it was in the series order. But this is the developmental editor in me picking this apart. LOL.
But ultimately I did like this but it did scratch an itch for me. And I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Four Stars
October 28, 2019
My favorite book in the series. I never believed it possible, but I may have fallen for Nahash harder than I did for Thrax! Cass is lovely too; a sensible, collected and compassionate heroine.
The worldbuilding is out-of-this-plane amazing (pun intended)! While in this one we get to explore the Iriduan world and society in more detail (and all its tangles), we also have other alien civilizations involved. It's not only believable, but it's also so real I could touch it. Kudos for mastering that aspect of sci-fi, Susan Trombley!
And the pacing of the story... phew! At no point did I feel the need to put down or skim the story. Even when Cass slipped into one of her self-analyzing moments. Even then I was greedy for more, always eager to turn the page. For a bonded/fated romance, their relationship progressed quite genuinely.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series and, hopefully, learn more of Halian (wonderful, wonderful character). I have a feeling this series is going places ;)
The worldbuilding is out-of-this-plane amazing (pun intended)! While in this one we get to explore the Iriduan world and society in more detail (and all its tangles), we also have other alien civilizations involved. It's not only believable, but it's also so real I could touch it. Kudos for mastering that aspect of sci-fi, Susan Trombley!
And the pacing of the story... phew! At no point did I feel the need to put down or skim the story. Even when Cass slipped into one of her self-analyzing moments. Even then I was greedy for more, always eager to turn the page. For a bonded/fated romance, their relationship progressed quite genuinely.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series and, hopefully, learn more of Halian (wonderful, wonderful character). I have a feeling this series is going places ;)
August 16, 2019
I have to say that this third book in the Iriduan Test Subjects Group was even better than the last. The way this author deals with unusual aliens is amazing. I found myself equally loving and being freaked out by Nahash. The fact that Cass was a little older made me love this book even more.
November 29, 2021
2.5 stars
Read
February 25, 2024Read for my weird book TikTok series and so much happened that I’m wondering how I’m going to put it in a video 😅
November 13, 2018
Loved it!
I’ve loved all the books in this series and this one is no different. Trombley has a real gift for storytelling, for weaving a complex tale with depth and emotion. Even the bad guys are real, complicated people. I highly recommend this series.
I’ve loved all the books in this series and this one is no different. Trombley has a real gift for storytelling, for weaving a complex tale with depth and emotion. Even the bad guys are real, complicated people. I highly recommend this series.
December 26, 2019
3.5 stars
While I truly enjoyed this book,it is not as well written as previous ones. Maybe the characters were less to my taste,maybe it is that for most of the book our love couple is apart,maybe it was too explosive, whatever the reason it was not as good as it could have been. I have nothing against authors build up their alien romance on suffering, slow acceptance and lot of action that are not relationship related, it is just that if author chooses to go down that path, I expect more than this book gave. It is not a book that leaves residue in your mind and it is also not a romantic smut. Maybe my rating is lower because I couldn't really understand in which category this book was supposed to be in.
Now I will move on to book 4 in trilogy....yeah,funny ,huh? Maybe I shouldn't have read authors note at the end,because calling this book a conclusion in trilogy is weird. Especially because there are more books to follow. But,even if I could dismiss all next books as spinoffs, this book in no way a conclusion to anything. Instead, it kept on building on the underlying plot. I have a feeling I will not get any answers for a long time to come and several books.
Recommended read for lovers of non human alien romance with human female. Entertaining enough.
While I truly enjoyed this book,it is not as well written as previous ones. Maybe the characters were less to my taste,maybe it is that for most of the book our love couple is apart,maybe it was too explosive, whatever the reason it was not as good as it could have been. I have nothing against authors build up their alien romance on suffering, slow acceptance and lot of action that are not relationship related, it is just that if author chooses to go down that path, I expect more than this book gave. It is not a book that leaves residue in your mind and it is also not a romantic smut. Maybe my rating is lower because I couldn't really understand in which category this book was supposed to be in.
Now I will move on to book 4 in trilogy....yeah,funny ,huh? Maybe I shouldn't have read authors note at the end,because calling this book a conclusion in trilogy is weird. Especially because there are more books to follow. But,even if I could dismiss all next books as spinoffs, this book in no way a conclusion to anything. Instead, it kept on building on the underlying plot. I have a feeling I will not get any answers for a long time to come and several books.
Recommended read for lovers of non human alien romance with human female. Entertaining enough.
April 13, 2022
Nahash + Cass
What in the what. This book was bananas - and that says a lot coming from me. This one has a lot of pain, torture, and sadness weaved throughout the crazy ass plot. I really liked how the author has developed certain characters (our complex anti-hero/villain who I am very intrigued to see how in the hell he gets an HEA) and beefed up the culture of the Iriduan's.
This book and series explores something I have not seen explored, and that is bonded mates gone wrong. The culture of the Iriduans has the staple reverence of females, who are fewer than the males but do not possess the mating bond, allowing them to take on harems and be loved and spoiled by many males. But this has twisted the minds of many males, making many loath the mating bond and females in general. Some females take advantage and are cruel to the males, or send them off to war to die. Very interesting things here, adding a complex layer. Although many characters we read are not full or even partial Iriduans, the way their society is has an impact on others.
This book is almost more pain than pleasure. I can see why maybe some would not like this book, depending on your taste on how the HEA develops. This book just stands out and again is so bananas and painful, that overall I really did enjoy it. The author note explains in detail the journey of this book, and that it was overall difficult to write - and I think as a reader, you can feel that. There are scenes and scenarios that play on a bit long, especially since it is pain after pain after pain. But, this book makes looking back on book 2 seem boring. So much goes down here, good and bad (mostly bad). I'm just impressed on the journey the author landed on with this book, and I am excited to see how things continue with the series.
What in the what. This book was bananas - and that says a lot coming from me. This one has a lot of pain, torture, and sadness weaved throughout the crazy ass plot. I really liked how the author has developed certain characters (our complex anti-hero/villain who I am very intrigued to see how in the hell he gets an HEA) and beefed up the culture of the Iriduan's.
This book and series explores something I have not seen explored, and that is bonded mates gone wrong. The culture of the Iriduans has the staple reverence of females, who are fewer than the males but do not possess the mating bond, allowing them to take on harems and be loved and spoiled by many males. But this has twisted the minds of many males, making many loath the mating bond and females in general. Some females take advantage and are cruel to the males, or send them off to war to die. Very interesting things here, adding a complex layer. Although many characters we read are not full or even partial Iriduans, the way their society is has an impact on others.
This book is almost more pain than pleasure. I can see why maybe some would not like this book, depending on your taste on how the HEA develops. This book just stands out and again is so bananas and painful, that overall I really did enjoy it. The author note explains in detail the journey of this book, and that it was overall difficult to write - and I think as a reader, you can feel that. There are scenes and scenarios that play on a bit long, especially since it is pain after pain after pain. But, this book makes looking back on book 2 seem boring. So much goes down here, good and bad (mostly bad). I'm just impressed on the journey the author landed on with this book, and I am excited to see how things continue with the series.
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