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He was looking for resources. What he found was his mate.

Ship's engineer and all-around fix-it warrior Kyre is focused on one thing: Finding the rare mineral he needs to boost the comms signal so his crew can get the rest of the intel for their mission.
But in the desert, he finds so much more. His mate, fiesty and strong.

And very, very pissed off.

She makes his blood burn, but can he get her to stay still long enough to listen?

Ferne has spent her life hiding from the lottery. One slip down a mountainside and a trip to the hospital later, and she's matched, whisked away from she life she loves.

There's no way she'll love the alien warrior she's been matched with.

Not a chance.

Probably not.

But why did he have to be sweet and strong and hot, all in one giant horned package?



Kyre is the second book of the Warriors of Vaznik, a stand alone series in the Warlord Brides universe. There's no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA for each couple!

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2020

638 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Ava York

108 books137 followers
Reader, dreamer and frantic scribbler. I really do believe that love conquers all... and make terrible things for my characters to survive to prove it! (insert evil laugh here)

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5 stars
269 (40%)
4 stars
214 (32%)
3 stars
143 (21%)
2 stars
28 (4%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,739 reviews228 followers
March 26, 2020
I don't love the circumstances that force human women to submit for genetic testing to see if they're compatible with any of the Mahdfel warriors, but I do like two people who don't know one another AT ALL trying to figure out how to make things work. Especially when one invariably shows up to the party with a chip on her (or his, I suppose) shoulder about said forced mating.

In this case, the chip-bearing individual is Ferne. She's done her level best to stay off the government's radar so she doesn't have to submit to testing and the moment she falls into their hands everything goes sideways on her. Suddenly she shunted to the far end of the universe and face-to-face with her new honey.

Kyre's not necessarily upset about being mate-matched, but it is sort of unexpected seeing as he and his shipmates are on a hush-hush mission on a deserted planet. Having a human female appear suddenly is sort of disconcerting. Still, he adapts and finds he likes Ferne's spunky attitude and willingness to figure things out.

These are fun insta-love (mostly insta-love. It's a little slower on the non-alien side, but I kinda dig that) books. I'm starting to suspect everything not on the up and up with command given how tight lipped they're being about this mission, but I may be wrong. Let's see what the next book brings.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Profile Image for Miriam.
928 reviews
January 25, 2020
I received an ARC edition of this book from the author.

I think this story needs a bit more world-building/background. Granted it is the 2nd book in the series, but there just doesn't seem to be much explanation to give some background on both the characters and the entire conflict that led to the "lottery". Even the lottery itself didn't have much explanation. The whole thing seemed too glossed over and like it expected the readers to have a bunch of prior knowledge (in which case there should have been at least a page or two of background before the main story). I also think the "mission" is a bit too suspicious to be believable (who would really take on a mission like that, it was doomed for failure).

Ferne and Kyre were pretty good as a couple. I could understand why Ferne fought the "mate" idea and wanted to return to Earth so much. I liked that Kyre was honest with Ferne about being mates, he was also really sweet and protective without being overbearing. I did think the "love" part was a bit too fast, it just seemed a bit too sudden during the story, but I guess that comes with the "mate" trope.
Profile Image for Amber.
2,222 reviews59 followers
February 16, 2020
Fun

I really enjoyed book 2 of this series. The characters were great and I really loved Ferne. Great storyline too!
Profile Image for LuDena .
2,415 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2020
Kyre

I liked Kyle but while Ferne's character had great potential the way she was written she was a whiney inconsiderate mess.
Profile Image for Preston and Michelle.
372 reviews8 followers
May 15, 2023
Written in first person by AVA YORK & STARR HUNTRESS, Kyre is book 2 of the VAZNIK WARRIORS series and switches perspectives between Kyre and Ferne. Based in a time where aliens are known to humans, and there is a lottery that selects females for compatibility testing to the Mahdfel warriors in exchange for protection against the enemy Suhlik.

Ferne Whittaker was on the run from the lottery, living under a fake name and credentials in the mountains, where her job was a professional mountain climber for tourists.

Kyre was an engineer, with teal skin, responsible for keeping the mechanics on the Calliope in working order, and bred to be a Vaznik/Mahdfel warrior (slave to the Suhlik). The last book left off with the crew landing on Gravum IV, on a mission so secret that command wouldn't even tell the crew what they were looking for.

In this book, Kyre was tasked with getting their coms working. The second he built a teleportation pad, Ferne came through, disoriented. Ferne had taken a nasty fall at her job, which resulted in the ambulance being called. After she lost consciousness in the hospital, they discovered that she was never tested for the lottery and the authorities were brought in to test her, then teleported her away immediately to her matched mate before she could even fully recover from the fall. Her disorientation after teleportation lead to her accidentally breaking the teleport pad, leaving her trapped on Gravum IV. She fought the lottery and match tooth and nail, only coming to terms with acceptance towards the end. The couple went on a mission together, searching for parts to make a device that looked for caverns underground on the uninhabited planet. They had a run-in with the Suhlik. This book left off with the group finding the underground caverns that spanned the planet, but still no idea what they were looking for. Along their journey, the couple fell in love.

The Vaznik Mahdfel have mating tattoos that glow white when they are in the presence of their one true mate. Kyre's mating tattoos glowed after meeting Ferne, confirming the lottery test results. The couple finally had intercourse for the first time around the 41% mark (much better than the last book). We were treated to two sexual encounters, and not only was it written better, it was longer and more detailed than the first book.

This book was much longer than necessary. The adventure to romance ratio was unbalanced and left wanting. The drama was much better than the last book, to the point that it redeemed the series, so far. I will give the 3rd book a chance for further redemption.
Profile Image for Jurnee.
455 reviews5 followers
April 2, 2024
While I do consider this books slightly better than the first one, mostly in the characters and adventure aspects, it lacks a little in the romance department.

Ferne is a tough lady who makes up her own mind, I appreciated her character a lot. I feel like she had to go through a lot in an extremely short amount of time, but comes out with a better understanding of herself and her wants in life. Her confidence in herself is also very refreshing. She knows what she’s capable of and it’s quite a lot. It’s clear from the beginning that she’ll be a real asset to the team.

Kyre is a decent lead, though he has a very… mellow personality. I like when he’s getting all nerdy about engineering and tech, but other than that his character is a little bland. He’s loyal and intelligent and also seems rather optimistic, like the kind of person who just moves forward without must hesitation if any.

The action and adventure was the best part of the story, and honestly I’d love to see more of that aspect specifically. I hope we do in the next books.
Profile Image for Rebee.
Author 2 books3 followers
August 13, 2022
DNF

There tons of alien romance out there so I decided it wasn't worth it for me to finish this one. I got 50% of the way through and just lost interest.

The concept was interesting... Earth has a protection pact with these aliens and that pact had Earth sending human women to these warriors as brides. There is an AI which can match humans with their fated mates (takes the guessing out of it I guess).

Out female lead hates this concept and her parents helped to hide her but sadly an accident means that she is in a govt hospital and is matched. Off she is sent across the galaxy to her fated mate.

She runs from him (duh) but that causes trouble and despite this they end up together. Though she is still not happy she still sleeps with him. The sex scene is nothing special.

There was still 50% of the book left for things to pan out as it was an HEA book... but I just didn't care. She was kinda a dick and he was kinda a floor mat.
Profile Image for Susan Clair Holt.
1,365 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2020
Kyre and Ferne

The Vaznik warriors continue on to an uncharted planet on their mission. As soon as they landed they lost communications so Kyre set out to find crystals to be used to extend the power. As soon as Kyre set up his transporter Ferne came through from Earth. She had his in the mountains under an assumed name to escape the lottery but she was injured,taken to the hospital, was tested and sent to Kyre. She ran from him at first but gradually came to love him. Now the crew is to find an artifact that is underground. Later provides the parts to make a deep earth scanner and now he and Verne are on their way via the swamp to find the most likely cavern or tunnel.
Profile Image for Whitney (whtnymllr).
Author 1 book40 followers
March 15, 2021
FYI: Ends at 83%

Gotta love a trope that switches up the genders. I’ve seen hundreds of grumpy alpha males, but grumpy alpha females are pretty rare.

I really like Kyre. As with all the males, he’s a warrior on the outside with a cinnamon roll personality. He has a very well-defined voice. His initial chapters read very jargon-y, so you really feel like you’re in the head of an engineer. He’s a typical beta, in that he is confident in his abilities without needing to be pushy. He’s willing to lead or follow based on the situation. I found him endearing because he’s confident yet can be a little naive.

I wasn’t sure whether I liked Ferne for large parts of the book. Her outlook on the world is initially very bleak, and I was glad that her character developed over the book. Also, she falls into several annoying/dumb decisions that lots of alpha males do.
865 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2022
Kyre #2 03/29/2022

Kyre has been given the task to get their communication back on line so he needs some lithium crystals to boost the power. While setting up a teleportation pad all of sudden someone come through it a human women his mate. And she is spitting mad. Soon he is chasing after her and she does something he’s not expecting she claims a mountain so fast he is shocked but after her catches up to her at the top they make a deal to get along for now. But while getting the crystals something happens they find themselves on a larger creature and having to hang on for life. After serving the Desert and getting back to the ship things still get complicated. So enjoy this good read and see if it works out!!
Profile Image for Paula.
1,968 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2020
A Great Sci Fi Romance .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of KYRE .
I really enjoyed reading this story .
I found it very entertaining and delightful .
This is book two in the Warriors of Vaznik series . KYRE is the ships engineer . He heads out on the planet their on in hopes to to find rare minerals to fix the ships communication system . He never expected to find his mate while looking . Ferne has been hiding from the marriage lottery that would send her to her alien match . Ferne hurt after a climbing accident is soon tested and teleported right to KYRE in the desert . What a surprise . This story is action packed and intriguing , very entertaining . I highly recommend reading .
Profile Image for ValerieC.
1,343 reviews56 followers
January 30, 2020
3 stars

This book picked up where book 1 ended, so you really need to start at the beginning to get the whole story.

My problem with the series, and especially this book, it there is a shuttle attached to the bottom of the Calliope, used in book one to rescue settlers kidnapped by the Suhliks. Apparently, the author has forgotten it because in this book she has Ferne and Kyre heading off into the swamps to travel all over looking for underground caverns... and then it just ends!!!! 😡😡

I do like these series about the guys the Suhliks attack, so I will keep reading.

This was well-edited.
Profile Image for JodyL.
1,644 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2020
Can she stop running long enough to give him a chance?

Ferne hid herself off grid in the mountains in order to avoid the "lottery" and have a forced mating and breed a child she didn't want. But a climbing accident changes everything.
Kyre is in the middle of the desert on a strange planet when all of the sudden a human woman appears. His tattoo begins to light upso he knows she's his soulmate.
Now if only he can get her to stop running long enough for him to solve their communication problem and figure out what the crew is on Gravum IV to search for.
This books' mission is a continuation from the previous story.
Profile Image for Emily Lindsey.
Author 4 books21 followers
April 8, 2020
A cool story, it builds deeper with each matching I enjoyed reading Kyre's story. HIs match with Ferne is tumultuous and mostly one-sided for much of the story. Ferne is a woman who hid off the grid for the mandatory testing, so when they finally caught her and sent her to her match, she was less than thrilled. The story is exciting, with action that draws the two matched people together, but you are always wondering if that will ever be enough for Ferne or if she will take off at the first opportunity. Their back and forth love story is interesting to read and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series too.
692 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2020
Kyre is on a scouting mission to find crystals that can energize their communications, when he meets Fern his match from Earth. Fern has been hiding for years from being found and shipped out to some alien as a bride, however, one bad fall off a mountain while working as a guide, and they find her out in the hospital. So while excavating and thirsty, they drank from a plant with strong properties that lowers their guards and things get interesting. These are engaging characters and great storytelling. I am voluntarily leaving my review of this ARC.
Profile Image for Jacquelyn G.
1,061 reviews56 followers
February 1, 2020
Great continuation

I really enjoyed reading about Ferne and Kyre. There were a few things that bothered me about this book. First we know she had a new identity because she was hiding, but we never found out what it was. Not that it really matters but I think if you give little secrets like that we should know. Also these abrupt endings at 84% is pretty lame. Regardless, I'll continue the series.. I'm looking forward to Derrix and his mate.
1,394 reviews7 followers
February 12, 2020
Interesting..... this series just keeps getting more interesting. Mission: find the relic and bring it home. They are on the planet where it’s supposed to be, but they’re not getting the info they need. All they’re told is: it’s underground, find it. They’re not even sure what “it” is. There’s a whole planet out there and they’re expected to find it with no other clues. Warning: continues on in next book.
215 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2020
Fantastic

I love this series. York is a great author and joining in as a Starr Huntress author to continue the saga of the Mahdfel warriors is awesome. Kyre gets a serious gift from the stars when he goes searching for a mineral. Ferne. Totally not what anyone expects of a human woman. Great cast of characters, fabulous writing, action and adventure, great romps...what more could you ask for. This series was so good I bought them all and pre-ordered the upcoming books!
Profile Image for Kim.
1,689 reviews9 followers
May 18, 2020
Somewhat interesting but fell flat

This story is somewhat interesting but was anticlimactic in the end. It did have some intrigue but was quick and ended without to much trouble. The H & H came to depend on each other pretty quickly and feelings were easy. Quick read that fell a little flat. Ok read.
2,374 reviews20 followers
January 28, 2020
Loved It

This book is just as great as the previous one? It's fast paced , packed with adventure, action, drama, and steamy hot romance with awesome characters? A must buy and waiting anxiously for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Jennifer Turner.
903 reviews18 followers
January 30, 2020
Didn't really like this one as much

It was still a decent read however it just didn't hold my interest but I would suggest seeing for yourself if it appeals to you more then it did me
4,497 reviews24 followers
February 15, 2020
This book, is entertaining, action packed and thoroughly enjoyable. The chemistry between the characters of Ferne and Kyre is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3,998 reviews7 followers
February 23, 2020
Just Dropped In

Ferne is literally just dropped at Kyre's feet completely against her will. But it starts a grand adventure with a bit of angst and lots of alien Alpha hottest in this engaging tale.
Profile Image for karen Ennis.
202 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2020
Good read

Genre was matched and teleported almost immediately. She wanted to go back to her life and tried at every opportunity. Then she realized she didn't want to leave Kyre. She was falling in love.
Profile Image for Robin Adams.
59 reviews
May 9, 2020
An adventure romance

I loved the characters. They are exciting, fun,and intense. The romance is hot and steamy. I loved all the action scenes and the adventure they fall into. I cannot wait to read more in this series.
Profile Image for RITA BOTTILLO.
795 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2021
Marvelous

Again we’re on a space ship having come away with little damage. Humor, excitement and unrequited romance. Unbelievable how Starr keeps the same base and weaves unique stories from the same wool.
96 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2021
Last 15% of book was previews

Some of the best books I've ever read were brought to my attention by blurbs and previews in other books, but when more than 5% of the book's content is dedicated to previews, I get grumpy.
Profile Image for Ruth.
299 reviews
May 28, 2022
This wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as the first book. Ferne kind of got on my nerves. I understood why she was upset but I didn't like how she acted afterwards. Kyre was adorable, this author really knows how to write a big strong teddy bear.

** Okay read 2.5 stars***
Profile Image for Sara.
509 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2025
Solid addition to the storyline. I’m not a fan of the woman running away just to be put in danger for the hero to save trope. You’ve just been yeeted to a deserted planet to join your assigned mate and your first impulse is to run off?
2,834 reviews14 followers
January 17, 2020
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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