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Iriduan Test Subjects #5
The Hunter's Mate
Still haunted by nightmares about Hunter’s sacrifice to save the lives of her and her friends, the last alien Tarin expects to see on Akrellia is the Menops bounty hunter himself. She’s drawn to the dangerous male, despite his insectoid appearance, but chalks it up to their experiences together, unable to accept it might mean more—even as she decides never to let him out of her sight again.
Hunter has spent his life searching for one thing and one thing only—a cure for imprinting. To that end, he joined the traitorous Iriduan, Halian, in a devil’s bargain that has him deceiving Tarin and her friends, and he’s not comfortable with that deception—or with his growing concerns about Halian’s plans.
When the execution of part of Halian’s plan isolates Hunter and Tarin on an unknown alien world, far from help, Hunter’s problems grow even more complicated. An unanticipated metamorphosis leaves his body completely changed—in a way that makes it impossible to ignore his growing feelings for Tarin.
But secrets, lies, and a past he can’t change form a seemingly insurmountable obstacle between them. Hunter must prove he’s worthy of his queen and earn her forgiveness for his past mistakes, but the consequences of those mistakes have yet to fully manifest—and when they do, no one will be safe.
Hunter has spent his life searching for one thing and one thing only—a cure for imprinting. To that end, he joined the traitorous Iriduan, Halian, in a devil’s bargain that has him deceiving Tarin and her friends, and he’s not comfortable with that deception—or with his growing concerns about Halian’s plans.
When the execution of part of Halian’s plan isolates Hunter and Tarin on an unknown alien world, far from help, Hunter’s problems grow even more complicated. An unanticipated metamorphosis leaves his body completely changed—in a way that makes it impossible to ignore his growing feelings for Tarin.
But secrets, lies, and a past he can’t change form a seemingly insurmountable obstacle between them. Hunter must prove he’s worthy of his queen and earn her forgiveness for his past mistakes, but the consequences of those mistakes have yet to fully manifest—and when they do, no one will be safe.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2019
368 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Susan Trombley
32 books849 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 114 reviews
January 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Iriduan test subjects series a lot it features two previous side-characters Menop Hunter and human Tarin.
I was looking forward to this particular story especially as both have been such intriguing individuals and I was also very curious with just how alien Hunter actually is how it would all play out and in which direction the author would spin this.
Well got to say it was very well done I must admit I was slightly dismayed when Hunter seemed to become so human in appearance but then it was all redeemed for me with how it all eventually turned out and got to say I adored Hunters Antennae they were totally adorable.
The way he was always trying to touch Tarin with them super sexy.
This one was also a blast when it came to the humour and Hunter was just so literal and amusing quite without meaning to be.
His misinterpretation and genuine disgust was bloody hilarious, he was also incredibly sweet and totally devoted almost childlike at times.
I love how he wanted to take care of Tarin and also accepted her completely.
She was his queen however the chips would fall.
Tarin was imperfect and she’s not had it easy It warmed my heart that she had finally got what she deserved.
She’s a product of her past experiences and Hunter couldn’t have been more perfect for her with his endless patience and total devotion which was something she needed someone just to put her first for once.
I also liked the fact that these two connected before Hunter's metamorphosis that it wasn’t all skin-deep that they had found a connection before the change it made there bond seem just more real and genuine.
I also really liked where we left things here and I bloody adored that epilogue as well.
I’m now super excited to read Halian’s book it will be interesting to see just how he manages to redeem himself.
Highly recommend this series if you like alien romance it’s fabulous.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 12, 2021
This book made me angry
I felt let down by the previous book in the series. And while I was disappointed with aspects of it that book, I wasn’t angry at the book. This book made me angry. This book made me very very very angry. But unlike the main character when I get angry I don’t become physically abusive or emotionally abusive, I just become very deliberate and express my anger through communication. So let me communicate to you why this book is a giant mess.
Because it is.
And I’m going to need to give some serious trigger warnings and spoiler alerts before continuing.
So first spoiler alert for the whole book. I mean it.
Second the trigger warnings… this book features body trauma, fat phobia, body shaming, slut shaming, physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse female upon male, anger management issues, rage issues, abandonment issues, problematic portrayal of mental health, xenophobia, and more that I’m probably missing.
So let’s get into this, shall we?
First off this book did Hunter dirty. In the previous books, all of the aliens were very alien in their physicality. And Hunter has been presented as a mostly Ant-like alien. Which sure fine, this book series Is meant for people who enjoy xenophilia. But The heroine, and I use that term lightly, Tarin doesn’t like alien-looking aliens, and for someone who wants to be judged on her personality and not on her appearance she is sure judgy about others appearances. And she is completely turned off by Hunter's ant form. So partway through the book, Hunter undergoes a metamorphosis and turns into a giant hunk of human perfection with only unusual eyes to indicate that he is still alien. Like he’s basically a human at this point which is not what I’m here for in an alien romance. If I wanted that, I would go read one of the many blue alien books. Yeah…
And I admit it, I liked Hunter. I like his character drive. I didn’t like how he’s over-arching character arc was handled in this book.
So what can I say about Tarin. I hated her. I absolutely hated her as a heroine. She is in desperate need of therapy, and I am just struggling for words to describe how much I really don’t like her. She is abusive; she is intolerant; she has serious anger management issues; she has serious jealousy issues; she reacts violently without thinking... she needs help. I actually a thousand percent agreed with her when she stated that she wasn’t going to have children. She shouldn’t. She’s not good parent material. But because this book is written by the author it is, you should know by now the babies ever after is definitely a thing. Which if she had been shown maturing and growing and not being physically violent whenever she lost her temper, I would be more OK with this choice. Except for she doesn’t really get the help that she needs. Oh it’s implied that she does off screen but we don’t actually see the character growth on the page, and that matters. The Tarin that we see at the beginning of the book hasn’t changed appreciably from the Tarin and at the end of the book.
This book also has the heroine gets jealous at the slightest hint of affection by any female that isn’t her. Jealousy is not an attractive character trait. Jealousy is damaging. Jealousy shows a lack of trust. And Tarin destroys relationships left right and center with her jealousy. Worse, the character becomes violent and controlling when jealous. It's abusive. Abuse isn't any less abusive when it's committed by a the female character toward a male character... what's worse is that Hunter literally cannot stand up to her. He has no choice but to obey her every command. He has no agency and she takes advantage of it. It's disgusting.
And if I hated the characters, then I was really unimpressed with the plot.
And here is another spoiler alert just in case the first one didn’t hit.
This book series has been Building up to a confrontation between Halian and the rest of the test subjects. And there is a giant confrontation between Halian and the rest of the test subjects…except it all happens off screen. Like Halian unleashes a weapon against earth and the rest of the test subjects show up on earth and there’s a giant battle sequence, which Would have been awesome to read about. But we literally hear about it in passing. Like we’re not shown it at all. It would be the equivalent of if after the all of the build up in the Original Star Wars trilogy we only Heard about the battle of Endor, the death of the emperor, and the destruction of the second Death Star in one of those screen crawls. It would be an incredible letdown. And it was in this book.
I am not joking, when I reached this point in the series I literally screeched “what the heck” and about threw my iPad across the room in incoherent rage. We spend ages of chapters with Hunter literally in a cocoon and only get a few info dump paragraphs about the giant series climax. This is bad storytelling. Like worse than game of thrones bad.
I’m still angry about it. And if I could return the next two books in the series which I bought after book 3 because I had read three books in the series and really enjoyed them I would. As it is, I am dreading continuing this series because the author has lost all of the trust that I have placed in them. This book betrayed my trust, and I’m really angry about it.
One star
I felt let down by the previous book in the series. And while I was disappointed with aspects of it that book, I wasn’t angry at the book. This book made me angry. This book made me very very very angry. But unlike the main character when I get angry I don’t become physically abusive or emotionally abusive, I just become very deliberate and express my anger through communication. So let me communicate to you why this book is a giant mess.
Because it is.
And I’m going to need to give some serious trigger warnings and spoiler alerts before continuing.
So first spoiler alert for the whole book. I mean it.
Second the trigger warnings… this book features body trauma, fat phobia, body shaming, slut shaming, physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse female upon male, anger management issues, rage issues, abandonment issues, problematic portrayal of mental health, xenophobia, and more that I’m probably missing.
So let’s get into this, shall we?
First off this book did Hunter dirty. In the previous books, all of the aliens were very alien in their physicality. And Hunter has been presented as a mostly Ant-like alien. Which sure fine, this book series Is meant for people who enjoy xenophilia. But The heroine, and I use that term lightly, Tarin doesn’t like alien-looking aliens, and for someone who wants to be judged on her personality and not on her appearance she is sure judgy about others appearances. And she is completely turned off by Hunter's ant form. So partway through the book, Hunter undergoes a metamorphosis and turns into a giant hunk of human perfection with only unusual eyes to indicate that he is still alien. Like he’s basically a human at this point which is not what I’m here for in an alien romance. If I wanted that, I would go read one of the many blue alien books. Yeah…
And I admit it, I liked Hunter. I like his character drive. I didn’t like how he’s over-arching character arc was handled in this book.
So what can I say about Tarin. I hated her. I absolutely hated her as a heroine. She is in desperate need of therapy, and I am just struggling for words to describe how much I really don’t like her. She is abusive; she is intolerant; she has serious anger management issues; she has serious jealousy issues; she reacts violently without thinking... she needs help. I actually a thousand percent agreed with her when she stated that she wasn’t going to have children. She shouldn’t. She’s not good parent material. But because this book is written by the author it is, you should know by now the babies ever after is definitely a thing. Which if she had been shown maturing and growing and not being physically violent whenever she lost her temper, I would be more OK with this choice. Except for she doesn’t really get the help that she needs. Oh it’s implied that she does off screen but we don’t actually see the character growth on the page, and that matters. The Tarin that we see at the beginning of the book hasn’t changed appreciably from the Tarin and at the end of the book.
This book also has the heroine gets jealous at the slightest hint of affection by any female that isn’t her. Jealousy is not an attractive character trait. Jealousy is damaging. Jealousy shows a lack of trust. And Tarin destroys relationships left right and center with her jealousy. Worse, the character becomes violent and controlling when jealous. It's abusive. Abuse isn't any less abusive when it's committed by a the female character toward a male character... what's worse is that Hunter literally cannot stand up to her. He has no choice but to obey her every command. He has no agency and she takes advantage of it. It's disgusting.
And if I hated the characters, then I was really unimpressed with the plot.
And here is another spoiler alert just in case the first one didn’t hit.
This book series has been Building up to a confrontation between Halian and the rest of the test subjects. And there is a giant confrontation between Halian and the rest of the test subjects…except it all happens off screen. Like Halian unleashes a weapon against earth and the rest of the test subjects show up on earth and there’s a giant battle sequence, which Would have been awesome to read about. But we literally hear about it in passing. Like we’re not shown it at all. It would be the equivalent of if after the all of the build up in the Original Star Wars trilogy we only Heard about the battle of Endor, the death of the emperor, and the destruction of the second Death Star in one of those screen crawls. It would be an incredible letdown. And it was in this book.
I am not joking, when I reached this point in the series I literally screeched “what the heck” and about threw my iPad across the room in incoherent rage. We spend ages of chapters with Hunter literally in a cocoon and only get a few info dump paragraphs about the giant series climax. This is bad storytelling. Like worse than game of thrones bad.
I’m still angry about it. And if I could return the next two books in the series which I bought after book 3 because I had read three books in the series and really enjoyed them I would. As it is, I am dreading continuing this series because the author has lost all of the trust that I have placed in them. This book betrayed my trust, and I’m really angry about it.
One star
March 8, 2020
Both stars are for Hunter. He was great and definitely my favorite alien in the series. So sweet, really literal and I actually enjoyed learning about his alien attributes. I wish he had gotten a better story and a better heroine. Minor spoilers...
Tarin was abusive, selfish and dumb. She violently attacked him twice but because she wasn't strong enough to hurt him and she's been abused in the past, it was supposed to be okay. She made EVERYTHING about her (the baby conversation when she used the imprinting power she had over him against him!). She routinely did stupid things and then made excuses.
I hated that he was effected/jealous of her aborted feelings for Halion. I hated that he saw them kiss. The only reason that didn't make me DNF is because he thought she was ugly at the time. 😁
Safe mostly - h is experienced and kissed OM in front of H. H has never done anything with anyone.
Tarin was abusive, selfish and dumb. She violently attacked him twice but because she wasn't strong enough to hurt him and she's been abused in the past, it was supposed to be okay. She made EVERYTHING about her (the baby conversation when she used the imprinting power she had over him against him!). She routinely did stupid things and then made excuses.
I hated that he was effected/jealous of her aborted feelings for Halion. I hated that he saw them kiss. The only reason that didn't make me DNF is because he thought she was ugly at the time. 😁
Safe mostly - h is experienced and kissed OM in front of H. H has never done anything with anyone.
July 24, 2023
Hunter and Tarin were an interesting pairing that I had my doubts about. She certainly wasn’t a soft FMC and the history between them was fraught with issues. However, the love story came to a good conclusion that included growth from both characters.
It was bold to create a FMC that experienced so much abuse and had anger management issues as a result. Usually the books I read about survivors of DV are somewhat timid and unsure. Although it took some time for me to come to care about her, hers is still a story worth telling.
Halian always seems to be the shit stirred in this series and I’m excited for his book!
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: discussion of domestic violence, violence from FMC to MMC, medical experimentation (brief), kidnapping
It was bold to create a FMC that experienced so much abuse and had anger management issues as a result. Usually the books I read about survivors of DV are somewhat timid and unsure. Although it took some time for me to come to care about her, hers is still a story worth telling.
Halian always seems to be the shit stirred in this series and I’m excited for his book!
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: discussion of domestic violence, violence from FMC to MMC, medical experimentation (brief), kidnapping
December 13, 2025
This wasn't great...
I recently read another monstrous alien romance and it made me nostalgic for that reading era of mine. I decided to use this author as my "read three books in a row from the same author".
Sadly,
・
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━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
I recently read another monstrous alien romance and it made me nostalgic for that reading era of mine. I decided to use this author as my "read three books in a row from the same author".
Sadly,
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
April 11, 2021
The story and flow were a lot better than book 4. However, the heroine, Tarin, is a physically and emotionally abusive asshole. And no one seems to care. That is SO not okay. I don't care how much she thinks Hunter betrayed her (and others). If you hate someone, you just walk away.
August 8, 2019
I was indifferent to Tarin in Tirel and Theresa's story,she was a minor player and didn't hold my interest one way or the other. I'd have NEVER guessed she would be this immature and petulant
and moody ,and down right selfish as she flip flopped between emotions and wants and desires more often that a fish flopping around on a boat deck.... When she first meets Hunter she's put off by his appearance and while I can get that interacting w/what sounds like a giant sentient ant would be a bit off putting, of course it would. Just like someone who is said "ant" who is trying to break away from being a worker drone would find humans rather strange... Both being put off by the other and it made sense.... We tend to act like that here on earth just by ppl's differing customs and beliefs at times and this was far bigger... What got me was how Tarin,knew she was being shallow. She knew she mainly liked Halilian (or how ever that is spelled) for his looks and the same for Hunter but she did it any way. Then the "betrayal" happens.. I don't think he really did (betray her that is),I mean what did he do ? He pretended to be injured and then went down on the planet and helped them. They all got away. All be it in different ways. and the queen was captured. Other than the rescue.none of it had anything to do w/Tarin. But when Hunter picks one of the worst times ever to reveal this to her her first response is to run off in a hissy fit... I mean when your told you've been betrayed and that's it,isn't that what you do ? You don't stay and ask any questions do you ? Like ,aaaaa I don't know, why ? and maybe ,What exactly did you do to betray me ? Noooooo,because I've had issues in the past it gives me carte Blanche to run around having fits and jumping to conclusions like a silly immature child! dear gods I hated this stupid child of a person!
She knows Hunter has his faults but he's mainly honest and except for the thing w/Halilian he's never lied or hurt or done anything to her... and it bothers me for the idiotic women to go from eeeewwww he's to alien for me to love, to jumping to conclusions and acting like their human men and making lame assumptions. Tarin goes from rejecting Hunter and running off,to coming back and seeing a female w/him offering to help Hunter w/something Tarin had promised she would do and jumps to a conclusion and runs off again.... He finally calms her down and then they had a two chapter sex scene (more details that were needed).Then the poor B tells her he wants to have kids w/her.... gods you just gotta feel sorry foe the fool then... Then like some outrageous queen,she says no and goes off on him when he dares to ask why. She'd said No! discussion she didn't want to explain herself. I just couldn't after that.. I was over 1/2 thru a book where the h was a self pitying brat, and where the MC's spent more time in their heads than speaking to each other,where even though Tarin KNEW,KNEW Hunter didn't get human expressions and took everything seriously and she'd been living among st aliens for over a year now but she still did it.... Grrrrr
I just had to quit. I cut to the ending and was thrilled Hunter got his babies,but both him and them deserved better... just like I did... This writer is wonderfully talented in my opinion but like someone else said she's hit and miss for me as well and for me w/a h who was as big a dud as this one was,not only did this arrow miss it's marl for me,it didn't even land in the same forest...
and moody ,and down right selfish as she flip flopped between emotions and wants and desires more often that a fish flopping around on a boat deck.... When she first meets Hunter she's put off by his appearance and while I can get that interacting w/what sounds like a giant sentient ant would be a bit off putting, of course it would. Just like someone who is said "ant" who is trying to break away from being a worker drone would find humans rather strange... Both being put off by the other and it made sense.... We tend to act like that here on earth just by ppl's differing customs and beliefs at times and this was far bigger... What got me was how Tarin,knew she was being shallow. She knew she mainly liked Halilian (or how ever that is spelled) for his looks and the same for Hunter but she did it any way. Then the "betrayal" happens.. I don't think he really did (betray her that is),I mean what did he do ? He pretended to be injured and then went down on the planet and helped them. They all got away. All be it in different ways. and the queen was captured. Other than the rescue.none of it had anything to do w/Tarin. But when Hunter picks one of the worst times ever to reveal this to her her first response is to run off in a hissy fit... I mean when your told you've been betrayed and that's it,isn't that what you do ? You don't stay and ask any questions do you ? Like ,aaaaa I don't know, why ? and maybe ,What exactly did you do to betray me ? Noooooo,because I've had issues in the past it gives me carte Blanche to run around having fits and jumping to conclusions like a silly immature child! dear gods I hated this stupid child of a person!
She knows Hunter has his faults but he's mainly honest and except for the thing w/Halilian he's never lied or hurt or done anything to her... and it bothers me for the idiotic women to go from eeeewwww he's to alien for me to love, to jumping to conclusions and acting like their human men and making lame assumptions. Tarin goes from rejecting Hunter and running off,to coming back and seeing a female w/him offering to help Hunter w/something Tarin had promised she would do and jumps to a conclusion and runs off again.... He finally calms her down and then they had a two chapter sex scene (more details that were needed).Then the poor B tells her he wants to have kids w/her.... gods you just gotta feel sorry foe the fool then... Then like some outrageous queen,she says no and goes off on him when he dares to ask why. She'd said No! discussion she didn't want to explain herself. I just couldn't after that.. I was over 1/2 thru a book where the h was a self pitying brat, and where the MC's spent more time in their heads than speaking to each other,where even though Tarin KNEW,KNEW Hunter didn't get human expressions and took everything seriously and she'd been living among st aliens for over a year now but she still did it.... Grrrrr
I just had to quit. I cut to the ending and was thrilled Hunter got his babies,but both him and them deserved better... just like I did... This writer is wonderfully talented in my opinion but like someone else said she's hit and miss for me as well and for me w/a h who was as big a dud as this one was,not only did this arrow miss it's marl for me,it didn't even land in the same forest...
November 16, 2019
Eh. It’s just ok. The Kraken’s Mate still ranks #1 on my list ⭐️
I’m giving it a 2 star rating because there was one scene that cracked me up beyond my control and I laughed out loud in public.
The Heroine is someone I couldn’t get to like. Maybe because I couldn’t relate to anything she is saying. She has anger issues. Trust issues when it comes to falling in love. But then when the Hero announces that she is his queen. She just wraps her mind about that in a snap then start to get sexy. I’m an Angst Queen. I happen to love a brooding hero with the longing looks and gazes of desire. I live for the torture between two mutual attractions. I could say there was absolutely no romance in this. Just destiny telling them that they’re good to go. And they do it.
Honestly. The only thing I liked about this book is how adorable Hunter is. I don’t like like him. But just.. kinda liked. I guess there was nothing special about him that outshines the previous heroes in this series. Also.... I have to mention. If he was going through metamorphosis and the heroine blooded him with her DNA. Doesn’t that kinda make him her offspring? A product of her dna?
Also, I have to mention Halian. Aspects, really? Seriously? It’s like the writer didn’t know what to do with him for his story and went with the story that conflicts his personality. It feels like this book is making poor excuses for Halian’s poor writing.
But again, this is the Iriduan Mates Series. I’m a sucker for a stories with fated mates and conquering differences over culture and race for love. I’m definitely reading the next book in this series. Unless it’s Halian’s then I’m definitely skipping that one. For me, he cannot be the scapegoat, villain, martyr, and ultimate hero. It’s just too much happening for him. And the execution for his story was poor. And I’m honestly overwhelmed with details about him. So no to Halian’s book.
I’m giving it a 2 star rating because there was one scene that cracked me up beyond my control and I laughed out loud in public.
The Heroine is someone I couldn’t get to like. Maybe because I couldn’t relate to anything she is saying. She has anger issues. Trust issues when it comes to falling in love. But then when the Hero announces that she is his queen. She just wraps her mind about that in a snap then start to get sexy. I’m an Angst Queen. I happen to love a brooding hero with the longing looks and gazes of desire. I live for the torture between two mutual attractions. I could say there was absolutely no romance in this. Just destiny telling them that they’re good to go. And they do it.
Honestly. The only thing I liked about this book is how adorable Hunter is. I don’t like like him. But just.. kinda liked. I guess there was nothing special about him that outshines the previous heroes in this series. Also.... I have to mention. If he was going through metamorphosis and the heroine blooded him with her DNA. Doesn’t that kinda make him her offspring? A product of her dna?
Also, I have to mention Halian. Aspects, really? Seriously? It’s like the writer didn’t know what to do with him for his story and went with the story that conflicts his personality. It feels like this book is making poor excuses for Halian’s poor writing.
But again, this is the Iriduan Mates Series. I’m a sucker for a stories with fated mates and conquering differences over culture and race for love. I’m definitely reading the next book in this series. Unless it’s Halian’s then I’m definitely skipping that one. For me, he cannot be the scapegoat, villain, martyr, and ultimate hero. It’s just too much happening for him. And the execution for his story was poor. And I’m honestly overwhelmed with details about him. So no to Halian’s book.
October 29, 2019
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time. Usually I start to lose interest around book 3 in series but this one just keeps getting better and better. I love how Mrs. Trombley addresses real doubts, emotions, and conflict even when dealing with Imprinting/insta-love bond type scenarios making her stories so much more real. Tarin and Hunter help and support each other to get through past traumas to have a loving solid relationship while trying to take Halion's a** out. This was a great story and continuation of the series. I can't wait for Halion's story next to find out what this master plan is really all about lol.
February 15, 2026
My least favorite of the series. I really hate that she only fell in love with him after he became more 'human and attractive'.
August 13, 2019
There and back again, a Tarin's tale
Tarin has been a 5th wheel, it feels like, this series so far. Dragged from Earth, tortured (although we never really learned what experiments week done on her) by the Iriduans, rescued by Akrillians, watched 2 fellow human rescues pair off with mates, returned to Earth, voluntarily left with remaining human rescue to save her mate, wandered Akrilla while said human and mate went through their story, during which time she fell for Halian- who, like every other man, did her wrong. From birth she's not had the best luck with males in her life. Halian's betrayal was just par for the course. The one that hurt worse than she thought was Hunter. The giant ant-like alien got to her when they were on their rescue mission and his sacrifice, and apparent death, hit on something she hadn't noticed till he was gone: She had come to care for him. Only, now Hunter is back from the dead, has too many secrets, and they've somehow teleported to another planet. What fresh hell is this?
Spoilers ahead.
While I always enjoy the tales in Trombley's books, this one didn't do as much for me. I liked Hunter as a person. Lost without his colony, hiding from marauding queens, cluelessly literal, and naive enough to follow Halian's cause without understanding what it might entail. This is one where I didn't like the heroine at all. I get flawed. I get victim, survivor. I get anger issues. I get hair triggers, panic attacks, wariness and all of that. I do. But this is a human that has been among other species, seen violence on a massive scale, integrated into new societies. She has literally seen the power of love first hand- with her adoptive parents, her friends. She willingly jumps into bad relationships. Self destructive behaviors are one thing, but this isn't cliff diving to escape bad thoughts. This is "I want to die so I find guys that abuse me". She focuses so much on how Halian looks vs Hunter. Doesn't even consider Hunter until he's basically human, something I didn't like at all. Metamorphosis, sure. Adapting to environment, sure. But a human in the desert? The exoskeleton would have served him better. Skin loses too much moisture. He could have modified like Thrax, chiton overlay. More on that later, back to Tarin. She was just so selfish. She literally attacked Hunter several times. Irrationality, jealousy, just flat anger over past deeds. If she'd grown any before the romance started, or after, maybe it would have felt better to me. But she screamed at him because he, naively, asked when they were going to start a colony of their own. Something that, he's a Menops no matter the skin, was a logical question. It is the sole purpose for a Menops male. Instead, because she's afraid of losing it around a child, she screams at him and loses it at him. All her therapy and she shuts him down, loses her head and he, poor guy trapped by biology, takes it. The only kind thing I can say about her is that she didn't kick him to the curb to wither and die due to lack of pheromones when she realized he had bonded. But, from the very beginning, when she refuses to talk in ways he can understand (she only speaks in sarcasm and slang, then mocks him for not understanding) to the scene where she screams at him over kids, she never grew. That was @75-80% of the book. I only finished it because I held out hope that things would get better for Hunter. They, sort of, do. Tarin doesn't so much grow as cave to romantic ideals. Things happen that free Hunter (no big spoilers), but he chooses to stay. The last few pgs slap a HEA bandaid on a woe is me tale. I did love the mythology angles. It's one of the pervading and underlying themes that draw me in. I loved that Hunter's people undergo metamorphosis. I just didn't care for his almost totally human body. Especially in the environment they were trapped in. Water conservation, sunburn, skin is too soft, his whole body became a liability. I thought the point was advantageous adaptation? His eyes didn't change from insectoid, but she never went into whether they saw like non human eyes. The exoskeleton made sense as a wanderer in hostile environments. The wings were fascinating, especially as he was described as fairly heavy. I would have loved to see how they transferred from insectoid to humanoid musculature. The multiple stomachs was touched on, but how "human" did Hunter become? How much changed inside? I loved the gift of his cocoon. That was sweet. I just wanted a better "queen". Be that a healing Tarin who could behave better towards others, or otherwise. But, Trombley loves to revisit characters, and I have hopes for Tarin's growth. And with the taunt of Halian's and Ava's tales, there's a chance to see it happen.
Tarin has been a 5th wheel, it feels like, this series so far. Dragged from Earth, tortured (although we never really learned what experiments week done on her) by the Iriduans, rescued by Akrillians, watched 2 fellow human rescues pair off with mates, returned to Earth, voluntarily left with remaining human rescue to save her mate, wandered Akrilla while said human and mate went through their story, during which time she fell for Halian- who, like every other man, did her wrong. From birth she's not had the best luck with males in her life. Halian's betrayal was just par for the course. The one that hurt worse than she thought was Hunter. The giant ant-like alien got to her when they were on their rescue mission and his sacrifice, and apparent death, hit on something she hadn't noticed till he was gone: She had come to care for him. Only, now Hunter is back from the dead, has too many secrets, and they've somehow teleported to another planet. What fresh hell is this?
Spoilers ahead.
While I always enjoy the tales in Trombley's books, this one didn't do as much for me. I liked Hunter as a person. Lost without his colony, hiding from marauding queens, cluelessly literal, and naive enough to follow Halian's cause without understanding what it might entail. This is one where I didn't like the heroine at all. I get flawed. I get victim, survivor. I get anger issues. I get hair triggers, panic attacks, wariness and all of that. I do. But this is a human that has been among other species, seen violence on a massive scale, integrated into new societies. She has literally seen the power of love first hand- with her adoptive parents, her friends. She willingly jumps into bad relationships. Self destructive behaviors are one thing, but this isn't cliff diving to escape bad thoughts. This is "I want to die so I find guys that abuse me". She focuses so much on how Halian looks vs Hunter. Doesn't even consider Hunter until he's basically human, something I didn't like at all. Metamorphosis, sure. Adapting to environment, sure. But a human in the desert? The exoskeleton would have served him better. Skin loses too much moisture. He could have modified like Thrax, chiton overlay. More on that later, back to Tarin. She was just so selfish. She literally attacked Hunter several times. Irrationality, jealousy, just flat anger over past deeds. If she'd grown any before the romance started, or after, maybe it would have felt better to me. But she screamed at him because he, naively, asked when they were going to start a colony of their own. Something that, he's a Menops no matter the skin, was a logical question. It is the sole purpose for a Menops male. Instead, because she's afraid of losing it around a child, she screams at him and loses it at him. All her therapy and she shuts him down, loses her head and he, poor guy trapped by biology, takes it. The only kind thing I can say about her is that she didn't kick him to the curb to wither and die due to lack of pheromones when she realized he had bonded. But, from the very beginning, when she refuses to talk in ways he can understand (she only speaks in sarcasm and slang, then mocks him for not understanding) to the scene where she screams at him over kids, she never grew. That was @75-80% of the book. I only finished it because I held out hope that things would get better for Hunter. They, sort of, do. Tarin doesn't so much grow as cave to romantic ideals. Things happen that free Hunter (no big spoilers), but he chooses to stay. The last few pgs slap a HEA bandaid on a woe is me tale. I did love the mythology angles. It's one of the pervading and underlying themes that draw me in. I loved that Hunter's people undergo metamorphosis. I just didn't care for his almost totally human body. Especially in the environment they were trapped in. Water conservation, sunburn, skin is too soft, his whole body became a liability. I thought the point was advantageous adaptation? His eyes didn't change from insectoid, but she never went into whether they saw like non human eyes. The exoskeleton made sense as a wanderer in hostile environments. The wings were fascinating, especially as he was described as fairly heavy. I would have loved to see how they transferred from insectoid to humanoid musculature. The multiple stomachs was touched on, but how "human" did Hunter become? How much changed inside? I loved the gift of his cocoon. That was sweet. I just wanted a better "queen". Be that a healing Tarin who could behave better towards others, or otherwise. But, Trombley loves to revisit characters, and I have hopes for Tarin's growth. And with the taunt of Halian's and Ava's tales, there's a chance to see it happen.
May 26, 2021
This book was as weirdly wonderful as I hoped it would be. Susan Trombley's imagination truly knows no bounds!
From the first introduction of Hunter's character, I was fascinated by him and wanted him to get his own story. But I kept reminding myself that he was a Menops (basically a giant ant with wings and a stinger) and therefore would not be a suitable romance hero. Silly, silly me! Because Hunter made an excellent romance hero! After Thrax, I think he was my fav of this series so far.
I'm simultaneously excited and dreading starting Halian's book because OMG, he is a horrible person and I cannot imagine how he could possibly redeem himself. But I also know better than to doubt our good author's ability to make ugly things beautiful, so I have faith it will be epic!
From the first introduction of Hunter's character, I was fascinated by him and wanted him to get his own story. But I kept reminding myself that he was a Menops (basically a giant ant with wings and a stinger) and therefore would not be a suitable romance hero. Silly, silly me! Because Hunter made an excellent romance hero! After Thrax, I think he was my fav of this series so far.
I'm simultaneously excited and dreading starting Halian's book because OMG, he is a horrible person and I cannot imagine how he could possibly redeem himself. But I also know better than to doubt our good author's ability to make ugly things beautiful, so I have faith it will be epic!
December 1, 2022
Llega a dar cringe en varias escenas
December 27, 2019
2 lost stars for main heroine. This was supposed to be a love story, right? So how come I really liked ant-like creature while totally being disgusted by his human love interest? Where Hunter is likeable and his reasoning understandable, Tarin is his total oposite- illogical, selfish, unreasonable, spineless. She is so incredibly annoying and ultimately not a kind person, that I don't understand how Hunter could love her without imprinting. For what? To be fair she started out not too bad but instead of character growth we get to see her deterioration. As more and more layers of Tarin gets revealed ,I liked her less and less. I don't know if that was authors intention or character rotted all on her own,but it definitely spoiled this story for me . How weak a character have to be to break 2 days fasting that is meant to save the love of her life? For a donut. She threw Hunters freedom and life away for a donut. I know it didn't have these consequences, but it brilliantly shows Tarins character. Was I supposed to relate to her? Like her? What? I guess I should have know as soon as she forgave a betrayal for a good fuck.
I also had a huge disappointment with humanazing Hunter. Like he had to become almost human to have a chance for being accepted by Tarin. Metamorphosis is all good but the result was ridiculous.
So yeah,even though I really, really wanted to love this story,it was barely 3 stars worth for me. Mild entertainment but nothing to pant over.
I also had a huge disappointment with humanazing Hunter. Like he had to become almost human to have a chance for being accepted by Tarin. Metamorphosis is all good but the result was ridiculous.
So yeah,even though I really, really wanted to love this story,it was barely 3 stars worth for me. Mild entertainment but nothing to pant over.
January 9, 2022
I'm sorry, I tried to like it but I couldn't.
I have never
skipped through so much of a book. I didn't want to skip the book entirely because I knew I would miss important series plot points, but boy did I skip over quite a few pages. Tarin is rude, too demanding, hot headhead and SO annoying. I didn't even read the s*x scenes! She annoyed me in the whole book so much that I couldn't enjoy the sex scenes because I was too busy rolling my eyes at her. This book was NOT it for me. Oh well. The next one will hopefully be much better. I've been waiting to get to Halian's story since he was introduced so I HOPE it's as good as all of the other books in this series (not including this one). I won't tell you not to read this book, it's up to you of course. I'm just saying that the main female character was so irritating that it was impossible for me to enjoy it. At all. But all of the other books in the series have been amazing so even though I skimmed some of the book, I felt it was worth it to get through the whole thing. So there's that.
I have never
skipped through so much of a book. I didn't want to skip the book entirely because I knew I would miss important series plot points, but boy did I skip over quite a few pages. Tarin is rude, too demanding, hot headhead and SO annoying. I didn't even read the s*x scenes! She annoyed me in the whole book so much that I couldn't enjoy the sex scenes because I was too busy rolling my eyes at her. This book was NOT it for me. Oh well. The next one will hopefully be much better. I've been waiting to get to Halian's story since he was introduced so I HOPE it's as good as all of the other books in this series (not including this one). I won't tell you not to read this book, it's up to you of course. I'm just saying that the main female character was so irritating that it was impossible for me to enjoy it. At all. But all of the other books in the series have been amazing so even though I skimmed some of the book, I felt it was worth it to get through the whole thing. So there's that.
May 6, 2020
A Great Series
I have been following this series since I stumble onto the first book. At first I was weirded out that any women would find a bug man attractive. However, Susan does such a good job of building her characters that you don't notice what they look like.
I also like how in this story she shows just how weird human would look like to an alien too and be just as grossed out by us like we might. I found myself laughing at Hunter's description of how flesh moves and his shivers. This was a great book and I like how each book builds or reveals more about the world. I like how there is a bigger conflict than what the couples are facing. I can't wait for the next books.
I have been following this series since I stumble onto the first book. At first I was weirded out that any women would find a bug man attractive. However, Susan does such a good job of building her characters that you don't notice what they look like.
I also like how in this story she shows just how weird human would look like to an alien too and be just as grossed out by us like we might. I found myself laughing at Hunter's description of how flesh moves and his shivers. This was a great book and I like how each book builds or reveals more about the world. I like how there is a bigger conflict than what the couples are facing. I can't wait for the next books.
August 2, 2019
Well.......THAT WAS AWESOME
ok I have just finished this book.
I love it, kept me on the edge of my seat and kept thinking will this work.
They not attracted to each other but then he changes and BAM....sexy time lol.
I love the real changes in the characters.
Also Halian story and Ava story can not come soon enough I am really excited to read them.
I got a little confused when it kept hopping back and forth between characters and not showing the change it prospective which got confusing but otherwise that is my only given.
I would definitely recommend a read but read the others first or you will be skipping ahead and wont understand.
ok I have just finished this book.
I love it, kept me on the edge of my seat and kept thinking will this work.
They not attracted to each other but then he changes and BAM....sexy time lol.
I love the real changes in the characters.
Also Halian story and Ava story can not come soon enough I am really excited to read them.
I got a little confused when it kept hopping back and forth between characters and not showing the change it prospective which got confusing but otherwise that is my only given.
I would definitely recommend a read but read the others first or you will be skipping ahead and wont understand.
September 25, 2019
3.5 stars.
This probably would have been a higher rating if I liked Tarin more. She got on my nerves and her abusive outbursts really got to me. I also had issues with how she would talk at times (lots of exclamation points and she kept using sayings even when it confused Hunter ) and I had issues with how she laughed at him pissing himself (he’s in a completely new body and it came across like she was mocking him for not knowing what to do with it, as opposed to helping him learn - but other than these things I enjoyed the book. I’m still on the fence with Halian because his character just genuinely confuses me, but I’ll give his book a go.
This probably would have been a higher rating if I liked Tarin more. She got on my nerves and her abusive outbursts really got to me. I also had issues with how she would talk at times (lots of exclamation points and she kept using sayings even when it confused Hunter ) and I had issues with how she laughed at him pissing himself (he’s in a completely new body and it came across like she was mocking him for not knowing what to do with it, as opposed to helping him learn - but other than these things I enjoyed the book. I’m still on the fence with Halian because his character just genuinely confuses me, but I’ll give his book a go.
March 15, 2020
This heroin was awful
Terin was by far my least favorite character in this series. She was too rash and her reactions were absurd. I get that she has issues from her past, but really, she ruined the story for me
Terin was by far my least favorite character in this series. She was too rash and her reactions were absurd. I get that she has issues from her past, but really, she ruined the story for me
August 10, 2019
OMG Hunter!!
I knew Ms. Trombley have something wondrous coming with Hunter but holy-cow! I was not expecting that
I knew Ms. Trombley have something wondrous coming with Hunter but holy-cow! I was not expecting that
May 20, 2022
I enjoyed this fifth book in the Iriduan Test Subjects book and look forward to the next one. It was an interesting twist on alien love.
June 23, 2020
Between 4 and 5. Cant decide. Loved it. Like jumping and giggling kind of love. Yeap. And aint ashamed to say it. Review at some point Will come
February 5, 2024
Hunter + Tarin
Man, this series just gets better and better - I'm pretty sure I say that every time.
Hunter is an Antman Alien Hero and is not liked by most of our characters as he was kind of the henchman to our villain/anti-hero of the series. He takes the human language literally, which is always funny in my book, and is more of a stoic, serious character that is misunderstood.
This alien has been on a journey is all types of ways, and he continues to do so. This is my first metamorphosis book... and omg that was SO MUCH FUN.
Tarin is the snarky best friend from previous books and we love her. It was fun the kind of switcharoo the author pulled here on us readers in more than one way. Makes future books and pairs very unpredictable.
So much again goes down in this book, jam packed full of things and new worlds/aliens.
Again, a lot of big things get glossed over though and are told to us after the fact. The author addressed this is the author's note saying she was wanting to add in more povs for those events, but it pulled away from the main couple and their story. She said in the future (maybe they are already written by now) she will write short stories for these different events. Not a deal breaker here, but a common style used in the series. At least we get a ton of other plot and action to make up for it, I get that it would be an entirely different type of book if all of the things were written about as they happen from all the different characters povs.
Man, this series just gets better and better - I'm pretty sure I say that every time.
Hunter is an Antman Alien Hero and is not liked by most of our characters as he was kind of the henchman to our villain/anti-hero of the series. He takes the human language literally, which is always funny in my book, and is more of a stoic, serious character that is misunderstood.
This alien has been on a journey is all types of ways, and he continues to do so. This is my first metamorphosis book... and omg that was SO MUCH FUN.
Tarin is the snarky best friend from previous books and we love her. It was fun the kind of switcharoo the author pulled here on us readers in more than one way. Makes future books and pairs very unpredictable.
So much again goes down in this book, jam packed full of things and new worlds/aliens.
Again, a lot of big things get glossed over though and are told to us after the fact. The author addressed this is the author's note saying she was wanting to add in more povs for those events, but it pulled away from the main couple and their story. She said in the future (maybe they are already written by now) she will write short stories for these different events. Not a deal breaker here, but a common style used in the series. At least we get a ton of other plot and action to make up for it, I get that it would be an entirely different type of book if all of the things were written about as they happen from all the different characters povs.
March 27, 2020
So creative! Love his POV of humans
August 26, 2021
Just could not enjoy this.
I very rarely write reviews. Felt the need to write one for this book. I feel let down and disappointed with the turn this book took. I will start by saying I have loved this series. I have been binging through them. With that said this book was a huge disappointment. I barely finished it. About halfway through I wanted to quit. I literally skimmed through the last of it to see if I would be missing any important details of the plot as a whole. If not for the other books being great I would end it now and not continue reading anymore in the series.
I could not get past the lead female character Tarin. I don't understand how in the beginning her character claimed being an abused women from her boyfriends and father. Yet she spent the majority of her interaction with the lead male Hunter abusing him mentally and physically. Getting mad at him, hitting and yelling at him for not understanding her. Making fun of him for not knowing his body as it was a new one to the point he was so insecure of himself. His character went from an confident being to a desperate being so needy for love that he allowed her to abuse him as long as she was happy. She literally turned him into the abused person she claimed to be at the beginning. It was like I was reading a story on how an abusive relationship starts and why the abused don't leave. Yet she claimed it was the other men that were the bad people to her.
It was hard not to be disgusted by Tarin's character. It was also sad to watch Hunter's character turn from a confident being into an insecure needy being. The plot itself was lacking. There was nothing in this story that had me connecting at all with it. I have never cringed so much reading a story. The quick ending after so many chapters of documented abuse was just sad. There was no actual storyline of bonding for the characters unless you can count punching someone over and over to include the face and cause bleeding because you are mad at them bonding. I just can't relate to a female punching a man just because she is mad. Had the roles been reversed this book never would have made it to print.
I very rarely write reviews. Felt the need to write one for this book. I feel let down and disappointed with the turn this book took. I will start by saying I have loved this series. I have been binging through them. With that said this book was a huge disappointment. I barely finished it. About halfway through I wanted to quit. I literally skimmed through the last of it to see if I would be missing any important details of the plot as a whole. If not for the other books being great I would end it now and not continue reading anymore in the series.
I could not get past the lead female character Tarin. I don't understand how in the beginning her character claimed being an abused women from her boyfriends and father. Yet she spent the majority of her interaction with the lead male Hunter abusing him mentally and physically. Getting mad at him, hitting and yelling at him for not understanding her. Making fun of him for not knowing his body as it was a new one to the point he was so insecure of himself. His character went from an confident being to a desperate being so needy for love that he allowed her to abuse him as long as she was happy. She literally turned him into the abused person she claimed to be at the beginning. It was like I was reading a story on how an abusive relationship starts and why the abused don't leave. Yet she claimed it was the other men that were the bad people to her.
It was hard not to be disgusted by Tarin's character. It was also sad to watch Hunter's character turn from a confident being into an insecure needy being. The plot itself was lacking. There was nothing in this story that had me connecting at all with it. I have never cringed so much reading a story. The quick ending after so many chapters of documented abuse was just sad. There was no actual storyline of bonding for the characters unless you can count punching someone over and over to include the face and cause bleeding because you are mad at them bonding. I just can't relate to a female punching a man just because she is mad. Had the roles been reversed this book never would have made it to print.
September 30, 2019
I was VERY curious how an alien who was strongly reminiscent of an ant could physically end up with a human female. Especially since Hunter was repulsed by the human form. He might be drawn to Tarin's pheromones, but he was NOT attracted to her fleshy human form.
Except, he kind of was. Well, as much as a carapace-armored insectoid alien could be attracted to a fragile human female.
It turns out, the extremely adaptable Menops species go through a metamorphosis that allows them to take on traits of other species. Once that happens, the physical part of Hunter and Tarin's joining was taken care of.
But the physical issue is only one of their road bumps. They had to deal with the whole thing where Hunter betrayed Tarin and the others for Halian. They had to deal with being unexpectedly stranded on a distant planet with a hostile environment. Plus, Halian was still out there, plotting and planning and probably doing very bad things upon occasion.
Yeah, Tarin has to mentally work her way through a lot of things. But she does (eventually) and they do (eventually) and HOLY WOW I am so curious about where Halian's story is going to go. That dude's pretty messed up. Pretty. Messed. Up.
I've enjoyed this series immensely since day 1. The aliens are very alien-like (until they're not, sometimes) and there's a learning curve on both sides of the relationships which is kinda fun to watch.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Except, he kind of was. Well, as much as a carapace-armored insectoid alien could be attracted to a fragile human female.
It turns out, the extremely adaptable Menops species go through a metamorphosis that allows them to take on traits of other species. Once that happens, the physical part of Hunter and Tarin's joining was taken care of.
But the physical issue is only one of their road bumps. They had to deal with the whole thing where Hunter betrayed Tarin and the others for Halian. They had to deal with being unexpectedly stranded on a distant planet with a hostile environment. Plus, Halian was still out there, plotting and planning and probably doing very bad things upon occasion.
Yeah, Tarin has to mentally work her way through a lot of things. But she does (eventually) and they do (eventually) and HOLY WOW I am so curious about where Halian's story is going to go. That dude's pretty messed up. Pretty. Messed. Up.
I've enjoyed this series immensely since day 1. The aliens are very alien-like (until they're not, sometimes) and there's a learning curve on both sides of the relationships which is kinda fun to watch.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 19, 2020
Less good than the others in this series. Still incredible though! I laughed out loud a lot at Hunter's struggles.... Also I really liked Tarin's sarcasm and missed it a lot when she just seemed to have lost it. Halian fascinates me and I'm alternately upset at his stupidity for not just dealing with his imprinting, and feeling bad for him. My fixer personality is interested 😄
I didn't like how human Hunter became, though. I was expecting more struggles on figuring out his purpose, now that he imprinted on a human. He became human in psychology basically right after metamorphosis and that didn't sit well with me. I also wanted to know why the Menops imprinting was somehow different from the Iriduans.
Lastly, others have complained about the heroine. I honestly didn't mind her so much. The loss of her funny sarcasm was disappointing. Also a lot of heroines are never curious enough for me. Usually they never ask the questions I would ask. Thankfully we can read about Hunter's point of view so that my questions are usually answered, but still... I am hoping for smarter heroines. More strategic ones.
Tarin's issues with her anger and defensiveness are real issues, and they were handled tastefully. No quick fix from an alien here, but actual therapy etc. Very good. I'm also afraid I'll repeat my mother's mistakes with my little daughter. I completely understand.
I didn't like how human Hunter became, though. I was expecting more struggles on figuring out his purpose, now that he imprinted on a human. He became human in psychology basically right after metamorphosis and that didn't sit well with me. I also wanted to know why the Menops imprinting was somehow different from the Iriduans.
Lastly, others have complained about the heroine. I honestly didn't mind her so much. The loss of her funny sarcasm was disappointing. Also a lot of heroines are never curious enough for me. Usually they never ask the questions I would ask. Thankfully we can read about Hunter's point of view so that my questions are usually answered, but still... I am hoping for smarter heroines. More strategic ones.
Tarin's issues with her anger and defensiveness are real issues, and they were handled tastefully. No quick fix from an alien here, but actual therapy etc. Very good. I'm also afraid I'll repeat my mother's mistakes with my little daughter. I completely understand.
April 3, 2023
As a warning: The female lead Tarin is really abusive (to the point of actually beating the hell out of Hunter, the male lead) and desperately needs therapy, not romance.
I skimmed 2/3 of this book just to keep up on the lore and was not interested in seeing this relationship at all because it just left a bad taste in my mouth with how abusive it was.
I really liked the other books in this series and all of the "Into the Deadfall" series by Susan. I love that the aliens were actually alien and was looking forward to this book when Hunter was introduced in the previous books because he is the most alien by far! But this book was just... really disappointing and hard to read.
Spoilers:
Hunter is really sweet and I was very interested in how they were going to handle the antlike physique and differences in culture with the hive mindset, especially since his whole premise is being free of his enslavement to a queen. Instead, Hunter just ends up turning into a human with bug eyes and ends up being enslaved to Tarin! He just wants her to be happy and he can't do anything about his bond just as he feared. Tarin beats him up and berates him so much and he just takes it. She never really liked his original bug form and then he just ended up being some sexy eye candy and she hates him but he is just so damn hot now, she can't resist. Ughhh.
I skimmed 2/3 of this book just to keep up on the lore and was not interested in seeing this relationship at all because it just left a bad taste in my mouth with how abusive it was.
I really liked the other books in this series and all of the "Into the Deadfall" series by Susan. I love that the aliens were actually alien and was looking forward to this book when Hunter was introduced in the previous books because he is the most alien by far! But this book was just... really disappointing and hard to read.
Spoilers:
Hunter is really sweet and I was very interested in how they were going to handle the antlike physique and differences in culture with the hive mindset, especially since his whole premise is being free of his enslavement to a queen. Instead, Hunter just ends up turning into a human with bug eyes and ends up being enslaved to Tarin! He just wants her to be happy and he can't do anything about his bond just as he feared. Tarin beats him up and berates him so much and he just takes it. She never really liked his original bug form and then he just ended up being some sexy eye candy and she hates him but he is just so damn hot now, she can't resist. Ughhh.
August 9, 2021
Other than the FMC, very good!
Vital to the overarching plot, so still recommend!
My main issue was the Female Main Character (FMC) who was very prone to violent outbursts. It would've been alright if the character development happened sooner but she was still violently beating a(n enemy) character to about like 90% into the book.
Thankfully her mate was stronger than her so the times when she tried to beat him while lost in her rage didn't hurt him... It was still really uncomfortable.
I really enjoyed the plot and getting a look through Hunter's eyes though! And it looks like she got better in the epilogue too.
I look forward to reading the next book!
Vital to the overarching plot, so still recommend!
My main issue was the Female Main Character (FMC) who was very prone to violent outbursts. It would've been alright if the character development happened sooner but she was still violently beating a(n enemy) character to about like 90% into the book.
Thankfully her mate was stronger than her so the times when she tried to beat him while lost in her rage didn't hurt him... It was still really uncomfortable.
I really enjoyed the plot and getting a look through Hunter's eyes though! And it looks like she got better in the epilogue too.
I look forward to reading the next book!
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