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Xiveri Mates #5
Taken to Kor
Deena
Rhork. He's a space pirate. The bad kind. But he's also been my only source of company for the past rotation that I've been held captive.
Halfway across the galaxy, I'm happy to have finally escaped and found more humans...well, I was.
But now, I'm not so sure that people are so much better than pirates. And I'm very sure that I'll need Rhork's help to get out of this. But Rhork thinks I'm a defective female because of my twisted leg. What if he's not willing to give it?
Rhork
Communicating with the human female for almost a rotation was, in retrospect, a poor choice. Now, she seems to be the ever-present voice in my head, distracting me, making me want things I shouldn't.
To make her a pirate.
To show her the universe.
And most of all, to keep her for myself.
Taken to Kor is a full-length (95k words) SciFi space opera romance featuring an alien pirate who looks like an alien and a plus sized heroine with drive and heart. Enemies-to-lovers who are also fated-mates are common staples of all Xiveri Mates books, which each end with their own special HEA. I recommend reading this book after book 4.
Rhork. He's a space pirate. The bad kind. But he's also been my only source of company for the past rotation that I've been held captive.
Halfway across the galaxy, I'm happy to have finally escaped and found more humans...well, I was.
But now, I'm not so sure that people are so much better than pirates. And I'm very sure that I'll need Rhork's help to get out of this. But Rhork thinks I'm a defective female because of my twisted leg. What if he's not willing to give it?
Rhork
Communicating with the human female for almost a rotation was, in retrospect, a poor choice. Now, she seems to be the ever-present voice in my head, distracting me, making me want things I shouldn't.
To make her a pirate.
To show her the universe.
And most of all, to keep her for myself.
Taken to Kor is a full-length (95k words) SciFi space opera romance featuring an alien pirate who looks like an alien and a plus sized heroine with drive and heart. Enemies-to-lovers who are also fated-mates are common staples of all Xiveri Mates books, which each end with their own special HEA. I recommend reading this book after book 4.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2021
286 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Stephens
79 books1,394 followersTop 10 USA Today Bestselling author Elizabeth Stephens writes books where beastly men—or sometimes just beasts—always get the girl.
A full-time hybrid indie and traditionally published author, Elizabeth is best known for her Supers in the City series (Montlake) and her indie works like The Bone King and the Starling and Dark City Omega. In all of her books, readers can expect diverse casts, epic world-building, quests with unexpected twists, and women of color being celebrated loudly, Black and biracial women in particular.
When she isn’t writing, you might find Elizabeth enjoying the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest or traveling and making adventures of her own with her husband, tiny humans, and doggo, King Louis.
A full-time hybrid indie and traditionally published author, Elizabeth is best known for her Supers in the City series (Montlake) and her indie works like The Bone King and the Starling and Dark City Omega. In all of her books, readers can expect diverse casts, epic world-building, quests with unexpected twists, and women of color being celebrated loudly, Black and biracial women in particular.
When she isn’t writing, you might find Elizabeth enjoying the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest or traveling and making adventures of her own with her husband, tiny humans, and doggo, King Louis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
April 16, 2021
Loved the latest instalment in this imaginative series this time around we get to learn more about the Niahhorru pirates that live on Kor.
They have been popping up for a while as the antagonists in previous books wanting the female humans to participate in a practice called shekurr to repopulate their diminishing race.
So this is again a stand-alone another couple introduced but you do need to read previous books to get an idea of where we are at today.
You might be a bit lost without all the background information learnt previously as this has a story-arc that follows through them all except for book three that one is a completely separate story.
So basically read book One, Two, Four before this one will get you up to speed.
Oh and just a heads up book three is also fabulous.
This series is incredibly detailed and very well written, the world-building bloody phenomenal some of the best I’ve seen yet.
If you like sci-romance that doesn’t just rely on the smut to sell it but builds intricate worlds together with some diverse characterisation that draw you in then this is the series for you.
Every time I read one of these books it becomes my new favourite.
Deena is Mathilde’s granddaughter she’s a human with a lame leg who's been treated like crap all of her life, she’s also plus-size.
Her grandma is quite the piece of work even going so far as to locking Deena up so she can’t tell tales of what she knows.
Her only lifeline at this time was Rhorkanterannu a pirate king working with her grandmother that she could communicate with through a stolen earpiece.
But when Rhork rejects her Deena despite her sense of betrayal is determined to forge ahead on her own.
Rhork is the leader of a planet of pirates his rejection of Deena is because he wants her for his own mate not willing to share her with his fellow pirates in Shekurr.
But Deena’s early life has done a number on her she lacks self-esteem doesn’t understand that what she sees as defects and flaws are in reality her strengths and of no concern to Rhork.
I loved how Rhork assisted Deena in seeing herself as he does he revels in her rebirth and doesn’t try to contain her.
He sees her as a warrior woman and is immensely proud of every one of her escapades even actively encouraging them.
This was fast-paced and full of action and I adored all the pirate banter included the vibe here I found to be different to previous books.
It was like the whole bunch of them were family and now Deena was one of them a pirate and totally accepted I loved that.
Rhork and Deena’s relationship and love was one of a kind and I enjoyed their unconventional journey all the more because of that.
I definitely recommend this series it’s absolutely fabulous and I would read this author blind now her stories are just that good.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Taken To Kor (Xiveri Mates #5)
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
May 22, 2022
4 1/2 "You are enough!" Stars!!
I loved this book! It was such a fun read. Big adventure, hilarious, and just enough emotion. Rhork completely stole my heart. Deena is cray cray in the best way. I'm loving this series. Happy reading!
I loved this book! It was such a fun read. Big adventure, hilarious, and just enough emotion. Rhork completely stole my heart. Deena is cray cray in the best way. I'm loving this series. Happy reading!
April 7, 2021
Stephens continues the Xiveri Mates series with an action-packed, heart-pounding, space pirate romance, and it is epic! Prior to the start of the story, Deena has spent years held in captivity by her grandmother after finding out that her grandmother betrayed their colony. Deena’s only communication with the outside world is with Rhork, a space pirate she talks to via a communication token. Deena manages to escape and, at the start of Taken to Kor, arrives at a human satellite, excited to meet other humans and start over away from her nefarious grandmother. However, things are not as she expected, and Deena’s life is quickly endangered, and Rhork is the only one who can help her.
Deena can’t trust Rhork. He is a pirate, and his customs are deplorable to Deena. However, the male she talked to for the years of her captivity and the one who saves her is so different from his reputation. Rhork knows he wants Deena and that she is the perfect mate for him. He just has to convince her that becoming his mate and a pirate is where she belongs.
This is my favorite book in the Xiveri Mates series. It is fast-paced and action-packed, and I adored the characters and the romance! The book starts with a sense of foreboding as Deena enters the seemingly abandoned human satellite. Where there should be humans prospering, Deena finds something horrifying. Rhork and his crew show how ruthless and heroic they can be, coming to Deena’s rescue when she needs them the most.
I love Rhork’s crew and the way that they embrace Deena as one of their own. Though they are ruthless, they are also more honorable than I expected, especially after hearing about them in earlier books. Deena finds a family in Rhork and his crew and a home on Rhork’s ship. This band of pirates is nothing like Deena expected, and it is with them that she finally feels a sense of belonging. This devoted found family of pirates is one of my favorite parts of the story.
Deena struggles with self-esteem and has a low opinion of her self-worth. Because of this, she has a hard time believing that Rhork cares for her. She sees herself as less than, and the wounds of her past, as well as something hurtful Rhork said to protect her, has severely affected her feelings of worth. At the start of the story, she’s sensitive about her physical appearance and feels unworthy of love. However, as the story progresses, Deena changes. She becomes more confident and sure of herself, and her self-consciousness fades.
Rhork is a swoon-worthy hero, and the love story between him and Deena is fantastic! He is so in love with Deena and sees her for the strong, smart, and beautiful person that she is. I think he has a lot to do with Deena’s healing, as he loves, protects, and defends her more than anyone ever has. Of course, miscommunication, jealousy, attempted kidnappings, space battles, and more stand in their way, but that just makes their love story all the more wonderful and intense. They seem to bring out the best in each other, and their chemistry is amazing.
Though this, like all of the books in the Xiveri Mates series, is a standalone, I would recommend reading Taken to Heimo, the fourth book in the series, if you want more context about Deena and Rhork. It provides the background about Deena and her grandmother and how Deena escaped, and it gives you a look at Rhork and his crew from a different perspective.
Some of the characters from the first four stories in the series make appearances in this book, which I also loved. It is interesting to see what the characters are doing and how their lives, relationships, and goals have progressed. I also like how all of their stories, though separate, intertwine. The couples from all of the books in the series want a different future, and they have created the changes necessary to bring their dreams to fruition. It’s fascinating to see how their work, and their relationships, have developed.
Stephens’ created a vast, immersive with unique worlds, customs, and beings, and I’m always amazed at the vividness and clarity of her descriptions. It’s so easy to imagine, yet so different from anything I’ve ever read. On top of that, the plot is intricately developed. Plots and sub-plots are gripping, exciting, and unpredictable. I’m excited to read the next book in the series and am so thankful to Elizabeth Stephens for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Deena can’t trust Rhork. He is a pirate, and his customs are deplorable to Deena. However, the male she talked to for the years of her captivity and the one who saves her is so different from his reputation. Rhork knows he wants Deena and that she is the perfect mate for him. He just has to convince her that becoming his mate and a pirate is where she belongs.
This is my favorite book in the Xiveri Mates series. It is fast-paced and action-packed, and I adored the characters and the romance! The book starts with a sense of foreboding as Deena enters the seemingly abandoned human satellite. Where there should be humans prospering, Deena finds something horrifying. Rhork and his crew show how ruthless and heroic they can be, coming to Deena’s rescue when she needs them the most.
I love Rhork’s crew and the way that they embrace Deena as one of their own. Though they are ruthless, they are also more honorable than I expected, especially after hearing about them in earlier books. Deena finds a family in Rhork and his crew and a home on Rhork’s ship. This band of pirates is nothing like Deena expected, and it is with them that she finally feels a sense of belonging. This devoted found family of pirates is one of my favorite parts of the story.
Deena struggles with self-esteem and has a low opinion of her self-worth. Because of this, she has a hard time believing that Rhork cares for her. She sees herself as less than, and the wounds of her past, as well as something hurtful Rhork said to protect her, has severely affected her feelings of worth. At the start of the story, she’s sensitive about her physical appearance and feels unworthy of love. However, as the story progresses, Deena changes. She becomes more confident and sure of herself, and her self-consciousness fades.
Rhork is a swoon-worthy hero, and the love story between him and Deena is fantastic! He is so in love with Deena and sees her for the strong, smart, and beautiful person that she is. I think he has a lot to do with Deena’s healing, as he loves, protects, and defends her more than anyone ever has. Of course, miscommunication, jealousy, attempted kidnappings, space battles, and more stand in their way, but that just makes their love story all the more wonderful and intense. They seem to bring out the best in each other, and their chemistry is amazing.
Though this, like all of the books in the Xiveri Mates series, is a standalone, I would recommend reading Taken to Heimo, the fourth book in the series, if you want more context about Deena and Rhork. It provides the background about Deena and her grandmother and how Deena escaped, and it gives you a look at Rhork and his crew from a different perspective.
Some of the characters from the first four stories in the series make appearances in this book, which I also loved. It is interesting to see what the characters are doing and how their lives, relationships, and goals have progressed. I also like how all of their stories, though separate, intertwine. The couples from all of the books in the series want a different future, and they have created the changes necessary to bring their dreams to fruition. It’s fascinating to see how their work, and their relationships, have developed.
Stephens’ created a vast, immersive with unique worlds, customs, and beings, and I’m always amazed at the vividness and clarity of her descriptions. It’s so easy to imagine, yet so different from anything I’ve ever read. On top of that, the plot is intricately developed. Plots and sub-plots are gripping, exciting, and unpredictable. I’m excited to read the next book in the series and am so thankful to Elizabeth Stephens for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2021
Holy Adventures!
I have read all the books in this series, Deena and Rhork’s is my second favorite (nothing beats KiKi’s). I’m looking forward to the next books, keep them coming!
I have read all the books in this series, Deena and Rhork’s is my second favorite (nothing beats KiKi’s). I’m looking forward to the next books, keep them coming!
January 31, 2022
59% in
Okay, so I'm not a huge fan of Deena and her weird quirks, she's annoying. But Rhork is worse. I'm not a fan of their idea that 30 of their males fucking one woman on one day is going to get her pregnant. One a day would make more sense. It's barbaric and gross how they talk about it. Well, that and also in past books their people tried to rape humans in the name of their shekurr bullshit. I don't like it. Seems like an excuse to "reasonably with excuse to lose control" and rape someone.
But what I hate? Rhork talking in detail to his supposed mate about fucking other women. Sliding into their heat. Spending inside them. If I were Deena I would have told him there and then to never touch me again. No. It's not cheating but it's the same gross feeling.
Also, Rhorky bear? Deena Beena? *pukes everywhere* childish names are not my bag. It's like Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 days calling the guys dick princess Sophia. She did that TO BE ANNOYING.
67% in.
"The kind of family that, some day, I hope to pillage a Voraxian ship with."
Um, ew. No. Not okay. Humans coexist with the Voraxian and you want to go kill the people on their ships now? What the hell? I don't rightly care what happens to you at this point, Deena. You're kind of a shit person.
70% in and nothing says romance like using your PREGNANT mate for bait without their knowledge or consent. Intentionally putting her in harms way of people that want to gut her children from her body, rape her, and kill her. Shall I insert a dreamy sigh here? No?
74% Do these aliens have no honor? I really don't like them. Stealing humans in stasis pods like they are chattel. How charming. I DONT LIKE THESE ALIENS.
76% in.
"Meanwhile, we’ve got the mothership and a dozen more ships on our side, but the combined firepower of their ships — our ships that they stole — is pretty formidable. I’m starting to wonder if going to the humans’ rescue was such a good idea for me and mine."
This doesn't make me like you any more, Deena. It really doesn't. Your dumb ass aliens are a big reason as to why they've been attacked and why they aren't safe, but I guess you're willing to forget that detail....
Ugh.
85% in.
"As the humans population grows, so will that percentage, but for now the goal is not to overwhelm them. Them, not us."
"As soon as her face hits air, she starts sputtering and coughing, twitching and jerking. It’s freaky stuff. Blech. Gross. Learn how to breathe, why don’t chya?"
Deena is a bitch. She's not human? Hahaha she's literally more human than Miari. But because she has decided she's a pirate that suddenly erases her being human? I hate her.
If I had a dime for every time she has to declare that she's a fucking pirate I'd have a free lunch.
I really liked this book until around 50% and it just went downhill. I hate Deena. She's a selfish bitch. All that matters to her is what she wants, that's it. Not others lives or wellbeing. Just what benefits her and makes her happiest.
I was s excited for Rhork's book and I was severely disappointed. Which sucks. I've loved this series but this one just wasn't it for me.
I really fucking hate Deena.
Okay, so I'm not a huge fan of Deena and her weird quirks, she's annoying. But Rhork is worse. I'm not a fan of their idea that 30 of their males fucking one woman on one day is going to get her pregnant. One a day would make more sense. It's barbaric and gross how they talk about it. Well, that and also in past books their people tried to rape humans in the name of their shekurr bullshit. I don't like it. Seems like an excuse to "reasonably with excuse to lose control" and rape someone.
But what I hate? Rhork talking in detail to his supposed mate about fucking other women. Sliding into their heat. Spending inside them. If I were Deena I would have told him there and then to never touch me again. No. It's not cheating but it's the same gross feeling.
Also, Rhorky bear? Deena Beena? *pukes everywhere* childish names are not my bag. It's like Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 days calling the guys dick princess Sophia. She did that TO BE ANNOYING.
67% in.
"The kind of family that, some day, I hope to pillage a Voraxian ship with."
Um, ew. No. Not okay. Humans coexist with the Voraxian and you want to go kill the people on their ships now? What the hell? I don't rightly care what happens to you at this point, Deena. You're kind of a shit person.
70% in and nothing says romance like using your PREGNANT mate for bait without their knowledge or consent. Intentionally putting her in harms way of people that want to gut her children from her body, rape her, and kill her. Shall I insert a dreamy sigh here? No?
74% Do these aliens have no honor? I really don't like them. Stealing humans in stasis pods like they are chattel. How charming. I DONT LIKE THESE ALIENS.
76% in.
"Meanwhile, we’ve got the mothership and a dozen more ships on our side, but the combined firepower of their ships — our ships that they stole — is pretty formidable. I’m starting to wonder if going to the humans’ rescue was such a good idea for me and mine."
This doesn't make me like you any more, Deena. It really doesn't. Your dumb ass aliens are a big reason as to why they've been attacked and why they aren't safe, but I guess you're willing to forget that detail....
Ugh.
85% in.
"As the humans population grows, so will that percentage, but for now the goal is not to overwhelm them. Them, not us."
"As soon as her face hits air, she starts sputtering and coughing, twitching and jerking. It’s freaky stuff. Blech. Gross. Learn how to breathe, why don’t chya?"
Deena is a bitch. She's not human? Hahaha she's literally more human than Miari. But because she has decided she's a pirate that suddenly erases her being human? I hate her.
If I had a dime for every time she has to declare that she's a fucking pirate I'd have a free lunch.
I really liked this book until around 50% and it just went downhill. I hate Deena. She's a selfish bitch. All that matters to her is what she wants, that's it. Not others lives or wellbeing. Just what benefits her and makes her happiest.
I was s excited for Rhork's book and I was severely disappointed. Which sucks. I've loved this series but this one just wasn't it for me.
I really fucking hate Deena.
March 10, 2022
I received an ARC of this book, and I was finished with it in a couple of days. WOW! This was such a
blast
to read, I was actually sad it was over! Kor can technically be read as a standalone, however it’s strongly recommended to read Heimo first, as Heimo introduces us to one of the main characters and provides context on how the book starts and other events throughout.
Kor stars Deena, the granddaughter of Mathilda. She’s introduced to us in Heimo, when Svera finds that she’d been held captive in the basement of her grandmother’s house for the past several years. I think it’s worth noting that although Deena was held prisoner, she wasn’t killed. Perhaps, not right away. Whether it was out of a sick version of grandmotherly love, or seeing Deena as a potential bargaining chip for the future, Deena is kept alive, and spends the next several years locked in a cell in Mathilda’s basement. By the time Svera finds Deena, it had long been accepted within their community that she'd ran away.
Mathilda is Deena's maternal grandmother, however Deena rarely refers to her as such, unless sardonically or sarcastically, preferring to call her by her first name. It can be easily forgotten that they're related by blood. As a result of her captivity , Deena has severed all familial ties with Mathilda and refuses to see her as anything other than a monster. Eventually, Deena escapes her prison (during the events in Heimo), and lands herself in an escape pod .
Throughout the story, Deena’s personality is extremely quirky, at times bordering on bizarre and even awkward. Deena repeatedly refers to herself as "crazy" and a "madwoman" . But it’s important to understand how she got like this. Deena was completely alone for the entire duration of her captivity, which spanned literal years. The only other human she saw was Mathilda, and she often left her there for days on end without checking on her, at times withholding food and water from her. Loneliness has detrimental impacts on human behavior and development. Deena was a teenager when she was abducted and held captive by Mathilda. But her captivity had all but eroded her social skills, including her reactions to things and situations in the outside world, and Stephens did a spectacular job showing this through her actions.
When Deena reaches the human satellite, nestled in an asteroid field, she’s literally bouncing with joy at the thought of seeing and meeting other humans. She’s not as concerned as someone else might be at seeing the satellite’s rotted and decayed exterior. It doesn’t register to her that maybe satellites with (presumably) living humans shouldn’t look like this, even on the outside. And she isn’t even a little bit bothered when she enters the satellite and finds it completely dark and frigidly cold. She only becomes aware that something is very wrong when she passes through what feels like “thirty endless hallways” and finds absolutely no sign of human life. And it’s only after she encounters a horrifying creature that she realizes coming to this satellite was a grave mistake.
(And if you want a visual of what the creature looks like, here’s how I pictured them: they have bodies like this with faces like this, minus the ears)
Suddenly grateful she didn’t get rid of her communication token before she entered the satellite, Deena channels Rhork and practically begs for her life . The words spilling out of her as she’s speaking to him sound jumbled and nonsensical, but this is intentional. Shock will scramble the human brain like an egg, made worse by the damaging side effects of extended periods of social isolation. And Stephens captured Deena’s shock incredibly well in this scene.
Picture this: you’ve been held captive in a cell for literal years, so long that the people in your community thought you ran away. You have a chance to escape and you pounce on it, and find yourself in an escape pod, heading to a satellite to meet and join other humans. But once you get there, the satellite isn’t what you hoped it would be; it’s dark and cold, there are no humans, and your first interaction with anything outside of the prison you’ve been held in soon becomes a fight for your life. You came inches away from a gruesome death, and want nothing more than to leave and forget the satellite even exists. Deena was desperate and struggling to speak coherently after what she just went through. And in her desperation, she was willing to subject herself to anything Rhork might demand of her, so long as it meant she left the satellite alive and in one piece.
While grateful for Rhork for coming to her rescue, Deena has a chip on her shoulder and an even bigger one in her heart. During the events of Heimo, Rhork openly called her “defective”, and Deena long assumed this to be in reference to her twisted and deformed left leg . The insult was burned into her memory and had a lasting impact on her. Rhork was Deena's sole source of companionship during her captivity. Deena had long since developed romantic feelings for Rhork at this point, so the betrayal was doubly damaging and tore her apart. But unbeknownst to Deena, Rhork also developed romantic feelings for her, and never once saw her as "defective" , or anything less. And Deena soon learns Rhork considers her far too precious for him to see her as anything other than the pirate queen she was born to be.
Rhork, short for Rhorkanterannu, is the de facto pirate king of Kor. The title of royalty isn't real, but it's implication is tacitly understood among the denizens of Kor; his word is law, and he alone runs Kor. But no one ever calls him a king to his face . He was introduced in the first book, Voraxia, in which his intentional goading of the Raku nearly got him killed. Despite his transgressions, he holds a deep respect for women, to the point of reverence. What starts as a purely chance encounter with Deena eventually becomes a friendship that develops into a relationship, one that changes both of their lives forever, and one they would both be eternally grateful for.
(BTW: Rhork and his crew all look like this, with silver skin, bigger eyes, no tattoos and black spikes starting at the tops of their head and going down the length of their back)
Rhork’s past actions paint him as a villain, but we learn he isn’t an evil person at all. Desperation can make people do really stupid and even horrible things, and Rhork is fueled by a desperation of his own; one that comes from belonging to a species that is slowly dying out. The Niahhoru have no fertile females The discovery of human women being sexually compatible with other species gives him hope, fueling his desperation. When Rhork and his crew rescue Deena from the horrors of the human satellite, they find the answers to their prayers and dilemmas not just of their own, but for all the Niahhoru.
While the Niahhoru may be pirates, they're mostly good people at heart. Rhork's crew is extremely devoted to Deena and will defend her to the death. Her being human is of no consequence to them, and they take no issue with her being involved with Rhork, romantically or otherwise. They are quick to accept her as their own and rise to her defense in any situation; almost in the blink of an eye, she became one of them. They quite literally are a family to Deena, where Mathilda never was. Their dynamic was both hilarious and heartwarming to see unfold, so much so that I almost forgot they were pirates.
Throughout the book, Deena is constantly reminded of the abuse she endured at the hands of her grandmother, and she often circles back to her leg (and Rhork's hurtful words). This is a very sensitive subject for her, and it quickly becomes apparent this is a source of low self-esteem for Deena. Additionally, Deena is very self-conscious about her physical appearance. She's what we would consider "plus-sized", due to Mathilda constantly providing her food during her captivity. And since food wasn't in a large abundance on the colony where she was born and grew up in, no one else was able to get to the same size as she was, which only made her feel worse about it .
Deena also has a grounding technique that I think alludes to her state of mind a lot better than her chalking it up to being "crazy": a rhyming game she plays in her head and out loud . Suffice to say, Deena repeats certain things, both mentally and verbally, whenever something bad happens or is in the process of happening, as if she's trying to distract herself from it. And we see that even the smallest of things can trigger memories of her abuse at the hands of Mathilda. In my opinion, this is an impressively realistic depiction of someone who has gone through extended periods of abuse and has now entered a period of recovery and healing. That is to say, Deena was abused for so long, she no longer knows what it's like to be treated like a human being with respect and dignity, and it takes her about a third or half of the book to adjust.
But Deena went through a complete and utter evolution in terms of character development. It's really difficult for me to describe in detail how it happened, but it left me in awe. It's truly something to behold. With the help of Rhork and the pirates she now considers her family, Deena no longer sees herself as "defective" or "deformed" and the abuse no longer rules her mind as it did once she was freed. She channels her inner pirate and becomes their equal; in heart, mind and spirit. It was mesmerizing to see that she was accepted as she was, for who she was, regardless of what she went through, what she looked like, or where she came from.
This is absolutely a 5/5 stars for me. The central theme of the story is one of acceptance in the face of uncertainty, belonging with no blood relation, and a reminder that while family may not always nice, it also isn't restricted to who you're related to by birth. Deena found her place in a world of marauding, pillaging and plundering space pirates, and she single-handedly gave hope to an entire species while bringing others together. Deena may never have seen her life turn out the way it did, especially while in captivity. But in the end, that made things all the more... Interesting.
Kor stars Deena, the granddaughter of Mathilda. She’s introduced to us in Heimo, when Svera finds that she’d been held captive in the basement of her grandmother’s house for the past several years. I think it’s worth noting that although Deena was held prisoner, she wasn’t killed. Perhaps, not right away. Whether it was out of a sick version of grandmotherly love, or seeing Deena as a potential bargaining chip for the future, Deena is kept alive, and spends the next several years locked in a cell in Mathilda’s basement. By the time Svera finds Deena, it had long been accepted within their community that she'd ran away.
Mathilda is Deena's maternal grandmother, however Deena rarely refers to her as such, unless sardonically or sarcastically, preferring to call her by her first name. It can be easily forgotten that they're related by blood. As a result of her captivity , Deena has severed all familial ties with Mathilda and refuses to see her as anything other than a monster. Eventually, Deena escapes her prison (during the events in Heimo), and lands herself in an escape pod .
Throughout the story, Deena’s personality is extremely quirky, at times bordering on bizarre and even awkward. Deena repeatedly refers to herself as "crazy" and a "madwoman" . But it’s important to understand how she got like this. Deena was completely alone for the entire duration of her captivity, which spanned literal years. The only other human she saw was Mathilda, and she often left her there for days on end without checking on her, at times withholding food and water from her. Loneliness has detrimental impacts on human behavior and development. Deena was a teenager when she was abducted and held captive by Mathilda. But her captivity had all but eroded her social skills, including her reactions to things and situations in the outside world, and Stephens did a spectacular job showing this through her actions.
When Deena reaches the human satellite, nestled in an asteroid field, she’s literally bouncing with joy at the thought of seeing and meeting other humans. She’s not as concerned as someone else might be at seeing the satellite’s rotted and decayed exterior. It doesn’t register to her that maybe satellites with (presumably) living humans shouldn’t look like this, even on the outside. And she isn’t even a little bit bothered when she enters the satellite and finds it completely dark and frigidly cold. She only becomes aware that something is very wrong when she passes through what feels like “thirty endless hallways” and finds absolutely no sign of human life. And it’s only after she encounters a horrifying creature that she realizes coming to this satellite was a grave mistake.
(And if you want a visual of what the creature looks like, here’s how I pictured them: they have bodies like this with faces like this, minus the ears)
Suddenly grateful she didn’t get rid of her communication token before she entered the satellite, Deena channels Rhork and practically begs for her life . The words spilling out of her as she’s speaking to him sound jumbled and nonsensical, but this is intentional. Shock will scramble the human brain like an egg, made worse by the damaging side effects of extended periods of social isolation. And Stephens captured Deena’s shock incredibly well in this scene.
Picture this: you’ve been held captive in a cell for literal years, so long that the people in your community thought you ran away. You have a chance to escape and you pounce on it, and find yourself in an escape pod, heading to a satellite to meet and join other humans. But once you get there, the satellite isn’t what you hoped it would be; it’s dark and cold, there are no humans, and your first interaction with anything outside of the prison you’ve been held in soon becomes a fight for your life. You came inches away from a gruesome death, and want nothing more than to leave and forget the satellite even exists. Deena was desperate and struggling to speak coherently after what she just went through. And in her desperation, she was willing to subject herself to anything Rhork might demand of her, so long as it meant she left the satellite alive and in one piece.
While grateful for Rhork for coming to her rescue, Deena has a chip on her shoulder and an even bigger one in her heart. During the events of Heimo, Rhork openly called her “defective”, and Deena long assumed this to be in reference to her twisted and deformed left leg . The insult was burned into her memory and had a lasting impact on her. Rhork was Deena's sole source of companionship during her captivity. Deena had long since developed romantic feelings for Rhork at this point, so the betrayal was doubly damaging and tore her apart. But unbeknownst to Deena, Rhork also developed romantic feelings for her, and never once saw her as "defective" , or anything less. And Deena soon learns Rhork considers her far too precious for him to see her as anything other than the pirate queen she was born to be.
Rhork, short for Rhorkanterannu, is the de facto pirate king of Kor. The title of royalty isn't real, but it's implication is tacitly understood among the denizens of Kor; his word is law, and he alone runs Kor. But no one ever calls him a king to his face . He was introduced in the first book, Voraxia, in which his intentional goading of the Raku nearly got him killed. Despite his transgressions, he holds a deep respect for women, to the point of reverence. What starts as a purely chance encounter with Deena eventually becomes a friendship that develops into a relationship, one that changes both of their lives forever, and one they would both be eternally grateful for.
(BTW: Rhork and his crew all look like this, with silver skin, bigger eyes, no tattoos and black spikes starting at the tops of their head and going down the length of their back)
Rhork’s past actions paint him as a villain, but we learn he isn’t an evil person at all. Desperation can make people do really stupid and even horrible things, and Rhork is fueled by a desperation of his own; one that comes from belonging to a species that is slowly dying out. The Niahhoru have no fertile females The discovery of human women being sexually compatible with other species gives him hope, fueling his desperation. When Rhork and his crew rescue Deena from the horrors of the human satellite, they find the answers to their prayers and dilemmas not just of their own, but for all the Niahhoru.
While the Niahhoru may be pirates, they're mostly good people at heart. Rhork's crew is extremely devoted to Deena and will defend her to the death. Her being human is of no consequence to them, and they take no issue with her being involved with Rhork, romantically or otherwise. They are quick to accept her as their own and rise to her defense in any situation; almost in the blink of an eye, she became one of them. They quite literally are a family to Deena, where Mathilda never was. Their dynamic was both hilarious and heartwarming to see unfold, so much so that I almost forgot they were pirates.
Throughout the book, Deena is constantly reminded of the abuse she endured at the hands of her grandmother, and she often circles back to her leg (and Rhork's hurtful words). This is a very sensitive subject for her, and it quickly becomes apparent this is a source of low self-esteem for Deena. Additionally, Deena is very self-conscious about her physical appearance. She's what we would consider "plus-sized", due to Mathilda constantly providing her food during her captivity. And since food wasn't in a large abundance on the colony where she was born and grew up in, no one else was able to get to the same size as she was, which only made her feel worse about it .
Deena also has a grounding technique that I think alludes to her state of mind a lot better than her chalking it up to being "crazy": a rhyming game she plays in her head and out loud . Suffice to say, Deena repeats certain things, both mentally and verbally, whenever something bad happens or is in the process of happening, as if she's trying to distract herself from it. And we see that even the smallest of things can trigger memories of her abuse at the hands of Mathilda. In my opinion, this is an impressively realistic depiction of someone who has gone through extended periods of abuse and has now entered a period of recovery and healing. That is to say, Deena was abused for so long, she no longer knows what it's like to be treated like a human being with respect and dignity, and it takes her about a third or half of the book to adjust.
But Deena went through a complete and utter evolution in terms of character development. It's really difficult for me to describe in detail how it happened, but it left me in awe. It's truly something to behold. With the help of Rhork and the pirates she now considers her family, Deena no longer sees herself as "defective" or "deformed" and the abuse no longer rules her mind as it did once she was freed. She channels her inner pirate and becomes their equal; in heart, mind and spirit. It was mesmerizing to see that she was accepted as she was, for who she was, regardless of what she went through, what she looked like, or where she came from.
This is absolutely a 5/5 stars for me. The central theme of the story is one of acceptance in the face of uncertainty, belonging with no blood relation, and a reminder that while family may not always nice, it also isn't restricted to who you're related to by birth. Deena found her place in a world of marauding, pillaging and plundering space pirates, and she single-handedly gave hope to an entire species while bringing others together. Deena may never have seen her life turn out the way it did, especially while in captivity. But in the end, that made things all the more... Interesting.
May 10, 2025
Space pirates, need I say more?
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💜🩷💙💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌎
Character development: ☹️😍😋😤
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Deena - she lives with her grandmother in a colony with other humans. Her grandmother Matilda has always been abusive, but she did love her when she was young. When she was six, Matilda broke Deena’s leg and now it is covered in scars, it didn’t heal correctly, and her foot is twisted to the side. When Deena found out that Matilda was betraying the colony, Matilda locked her underground in her basement for a long time. Deena had stolen a communication token, and there was a space pirate named Rhork on the other end. He was her only company while being held captive.
The Hero: Rhork - he is a Niahhorru space pirate, a race with four-arms and spines on their backs. He was always listening to Deena, who went a little crazy during her captivity. He and his crew of 30 wanted to find a human female for Shekurr, a ritual where they all mate with the female. When it came time where Rhork was doing a deal with Matilda, he said that he didn’t want Deena because she was defective. What he didn’t say was that the reason he rejected Deena because he wanted her for himself, not to share with his crew and he hadn’t found a way to do that yet.
The Story: After hearing what Rhork said about her, Deena runs away and gets in the escape pod from Rhork’s ship. She launches herself and puts in the coordinates for a satellite where another group of humans live. She hopes to start a new life with other humans who will treat her better than her grandmother ever did. Though Rhork is still listening and talking to her, she refuses to tell him the coordinates because she thinks he will come and take the human females. She takes out her communicator and when she gets to the satellite, she boards, despite the rot that looks to be attached to it. She ends up in deep trouble and puts her communicator back in and asks Rhork to come save her. She says she will do the Shekurr, that she will do anything if they just come and rescue her.
Rhork immediately sets course for the satellite to come to her aid. He was in love with the eccentric woman and could do no less. This was a space opera with lots of action and danger. I didn’t like it at first because there were flashbacks to Deena’s time in captivity in the basement and in a glass box that her grandmother kept her in underground. Often when you are reading a book with a lot of flashbacks, they are called out in some way, like italics. So, you know what passages are in the present and what ones are in the past. However, in audiobooks, it is very hard to tell, and it makes the story seem disjointed and like it is jumping around willy nilly. It was hard to follow in the beginning. Though it wasn’t long before it started mostly being told in the present and that was when it started getting good. The shift to real-time storytelling, Deena and Rhork’s evolving connection, and perhaps the thrilling stakes once she reached the satellite really added dimension and clarity to the story.
It was an intriguing and layered story—Deena's resilience really shines through; despite the trauma and hardship she faces. Her complicated relationship with Rhork adds a fascinating dynamic, especially with the secretive aspect of his feelings for her. The Shekurr ritual and the cultural nuances of the Niahhorru race are also unique touches that make this story stand out as a space opera. The only things I didn’t like was that it got a little boring when they were on Kor, and Deena’s low opinion of herself got on my nerves a bit. She was showing what a strong woman she was and what a warrior she could be, but she just couldn’t believe that Rhork really could love her.
Deena's journey reflects themes of survival, trust, and reclaiming agency—perfect for an action-packed and emotionally engaging narrative. The flashbacks seem vital for understanding her inner struggles, though their presentation in the audiobook format initially felt disorienting. The audiobook is told in dual points of view in dual narration. Joy Beharie and Curtis Michael Holland narrated it. Neither of these narrators is on my list of favorites, but they both have good voices and do a fine job.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💜🩷💙💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌎
Character development: ☹️😍😋😤
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Deena - she lives with her grandmother in a colony with other humans. Her grandmother Matilda has always been abusive, but she did love her when she was young. When she was six, Matilda broke Deena’s leg and now it is covered in scars, it didn’t heal correctly, and her foot is twisted to the side. When Deena found out that Matilda was betraying the colony, Matilda locked her underground in her basement for a long time. Deena had stolen a communication token, and there was a space pirate named Rhork on the other end. He was her only company while being held captive.
The Hero: Rhork - he is a Niahhorru space pirate, a race with four-arms and spines on their backs. He was always listening to Deena, who went a little crazy during her captivity. He and his crew of 30 wanted to find a human female for Shekurr, a ritual where they all mate with the female. When it came time where Rhork was doing a deal with Matilda, he said that he didn’t want Deena because she was defective. What he didn’t say was that the reason he rejected Deena because he wanted her for himself, not to share with his crew and he hadn’t found a way to do that yet.
The Story: After hearing what Rhork said about her, Deena runs away and gets in the escape pod from Rhork’s ship. She launches herself and puts in the coordinates for a satellite where another group of humans live. She hopes to start a new life with other humans who will treat her better than her grandmother ever did. Though Rhork is still listening and talking to her, she refuses to tell him the coordinates because she thinks he will come and take the human females. She takes out her communicator and when she gets to the satellite, she boards, despite the rot that looks to be attached to it. She ends up in deep trouble and puts her communicator back in and asks Rhork to come save her. She says she will do the Shekurr, that she will do anything if they just come and rescue her.
Rhork immediately sets course for the satellite to come to her aid. He was in love with the eccentric woman and could do no less. This was a space opera with lots of action and danger. I didn’t like it at first because there were flashbacks to Deena’s time in captivity in the basement and in a glass box that her grandmother kept her in underground. Often when you are reading a book with a lot of flashbacks, they are called out in some way, like italics. So, you know what passages are in the present and what ones are in the past. However, in audiobooks, it is very hard to tell, and it makes the story seem disjointed and like it is jumping around willy nilly. It was hard to follow in the beginning. Though it wasn’t long before it started mostly being told in the present and that was when it started getting good. The shift to real-time storytelling, Deena and Rhork’s evolving connection, and perhaps the thrilling stakes once she reached the satellite really added dimension and clarity to the story.
It was an intriguing and layered story—Deena's resilience really shines through; despite the trauma and hardship she faces. Her complicated relationship with Rhork adds a fascinating dynamic, especially with the secretive aspect of his feelings for her. The Shekurr ritual and the cultural nuances of the Niahhorru race are also unique touches that make this story stand out as a space opera. The only things I didn’t like was that it got a little boring when they were on Kor, and Deena’s low opinion of herself got on my nerves a bit. She was showing what a strong woman she was and what a warrior she could be, but she just couldn’t believe that Rhork really could love her.
Deena's journey reflects themes of survival, trust, and reclaiming agency—perfect for an action-packed and emotionally engaging narrative. The flashbacks seem vital for understanding her inner struggles, though their presentation in the audiobook format initially felt disorienting. The audiobook is told in dual points of view in dual narration. Joy Beharie and Curtis Michael Holland narrated it. Neither of these narrators is on my list of favorites, but they both have good voices and do a fine job.
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April 1, 2021
I did not want this book to end!
I say this with each new book in this series, but this one really has been my favorite! I cannot properly express how much I loved Deena! And the way Rohrk not only embraced her crazy, but fanned the flames, encouraged and loved every bit of her psycho, in a way that just made my heart melt!
Deena and Rohrk are relationship goals!!
I say this with each new book in this series, but this one really has been my favorite! I cannot properly express how much I loved Deena! And the way Rohrk not only embraced her crazy, but fanned the flames, encouraged and loved every bit of her psycho, in a way that just made my heart melt!
Deena and Rohrk are relationship goals!!
February 27, 2023
There is only this thing between us and it will never end, because it is shaped like forever.4 stars
I loved how Rhork and Deena "met" and that their relationship developed over comms over the course of a several hundred days, if my memory serves me right. It was like a futuristic epistolary romance or something and the only thing I wish is that we had gotten more of their exchanges in the beginning, because I liked reading it and would have loved to see the developing care and softness that emerged between them through that, as opposed to them already being in love with the other when they meet and when basically the book takes place.
Rhork was a villain in two previous books, but one was never really sure about him really, because he seems to prize females and insist on never hurting them, though in both instances he's essentially threatening gang rape to the women in question. He doesn't understand that Human women would view this as a violation and when he does, he seems to rethink it, and apparently wasn't serious in his threat of it the second time with Svera in the last book.
He's fully lovable in this book and his care and love for Deena is so sweet to watch, especially considering all that she's been through and all that she's suffered at the hands of someone who was supposed to love her, but was a truly evil bitch (her grandmother). I love how Deena had nicknames for Rhork and their bantering together was very cute.
I love that Deena has a found family that she cobbles together from these pirates and that they're all loyal to one another, and that she's able to finally have the family she deserves. She was an interesting character and definitely different than the other heroines in the series; she sometimes got on my nerves a bit, but overall I really enjoyed the book.
Read it!!
March 30, 2021
Taken to Kor is definitely my favourite in the series so far. Deena and Rhork are exciting and refreshing. This book was full of adventure, action, drama and comedy. Once I started it I couldn’t stop, well that also could have been because of what was happening in the first half of the book. (I won’t tell...you have to find out for yourself)I loved it. The introduction to another new world and characters added new dimension to the series and well let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a bunch of crazy ass pirates who would protect you no matter what but give you the freedom to become one of them.
July 28, 2021
Both a little crazy,
-space pirates
-both H and h are a little unstable lol
-cute story
-alien babies
-not my fav but still good
-space pirates
-both H and h are a little unstable lol
-cute story
-alien babies
-not my fav but still good
October 23, 2022
This is another spot-on banger!! Hell yeah!!! I am now completely sold on this series and have high hopes for the next book.
Book 5, Taken to Kor, is the most action-packed so far, which tracks for Niahhorru pirates. This feels like it had a little bit of everything - romance, action/thriller, sci-fi, horror, mystery - and I am L O V I N G I T.
I really enjoyed both Deena and Rhorkanterannu but I wasn't ready for how many more pirates I was going to grow a soft spot for. Herannathon, Gerannu, and Quintenanrret were obvious favorites and I'm delighted to see Herannathon has his own story to look forward to. I loved getting to see more of Ashmara and the Eshmiri reavers, too.
Although there's some communication based conflict in this one, the misunderstanding stems in part from Deena's own sense of self-worth and the abuse she's been subjected to by Mathilda. Rhork tries repeatedly to clear up the communication/misunderstanding issue until Rhork learns enough about humans to see the root cause of the problem and Deena slowly starts to unlearn the garbage she was raised to believe about herself. There's plenty of conflict from other sources as well! It never felt overbearing to be dealing with the dreaded "communication as conflict" plot point and worked really well in the context of the overall story.
I loved that Svera was described as being savage and bloodthirsty in her own way (and she is) but hoo-boy, buckle up for Deena because she's on a whole other level. Deena is the kind of character I love on the page but I don't think I could survive in person haha! While Deena has a multitude of learning moments and goes through a clear character development arc (which - GOOD FOR HER), Rhork goes through a bit of some learning himself - both about humans and about his own desires - and by the end, it's clear the Niahhorru as a whole are going to have a lot of learning and growth ahead of them if they're to survive as a species. Based on the events of the book, it seems most of them are willing and well on their way to make that leap. :)
There was also a lot of funny or cute or endearing moments in this, nestled among all the action, and I loved it. Deena's awful songs, Rhork's dumb nicknames, the eager way the other pirates almost become like Deena's overgrown kids, the way Deena fights with zero fucks to give - ugh, so many good bits!
Some other notes:
This series as a whole is diverse, and I don't just mean because there's blue, red, and purple aliens. Although it's not been said outright, it sounds like nearly every human on the human colony is darker skinned to varying degree with the palest among them often succumbing to a 'sun sickness'. (Being pale af myself and avoiding the outdoors, I can only imagine the torture that would be living on a brutally hot moon with 2 suns bearing down on you. I don't know that I would survive, either!) Svera seems to be one of the palest and she's still described as "pale brown of her skin with [...] yellow undertones." The female characters have also had hair described as more textured, braided, locs, etc.
In this book, my earlier suspicion that a rotation is roughly the equivalent of about 3 earth years was confirmed: "And you, my dear, were asleep for almost two or maybe even three hundred rotations — that’s almost a thousand years in your early human time" However, this book also states the one rotation is about 400 solars: "One half rotation, or two hundred solars" That leads me to wonder how long a solar is because wow?? Although it's not really necessary for the plot or enjoyment of the series, I just enjoy thinking about this stuff. For example, this known universe includes many planets and moons spread across quadrants and it sounds like this is across solar systems - so the actual rotation of those planets and moons around their respective planets or suns must differ, yet they all refer to a rotation as a standard unit of time. I'm just fascinated at the idea of how that was decided and what it's based on.
Anyway, last but not least, have one of my many, many favorite quotes from Taken to Kor:
"I looked at myself naked and I looked at him naked, sprawled out on our net behind me and I thought to myself, damn if we don’t make a sexy, sexy family."
Book 5, Taken to Kor, is the most action-packed so far, which tracks for Niahhorru pirates. This feels like it had a little bit of everything - romance, action/thriller, sci-fi, horror, mystery - and I am L O V I N G I T.
I really enjoyed both Deena and Rhorkanterannu but I wasn't ready for how many more pirates I was going to grow a soft spot for. Herannathon, Gerannu, and Quintenanrret were obvious favorites and I'm delighted to see Herannathon has his own story to look forward to. I loved getting to see more of Ashmara and the Eshmiri reavers, too.
Although there's some communication based conflict in this one, the misunderstanding stems in part from Deena's own sense of self-worth and the abuse she's been subjected to by Mathilda. Rhork tries repeatedly to clear up the communication/misunderstanding issue until Rhork learns enough about humans to see the root cause of the problem and Deena slowly starts to unlearn the garbage she was raised to believe about herself. There's plenty of conflict from other sources as well! It never felt overbearing to be dealing with the dreaded "communication as conflict" plot point and worked really well in the context of the overall story.
I loved that Svera was described as being savage and bloodthirsty in her own way (and she is) but hoo-boy, buckle up for Deena because she's on a whole other level. Deena is the kind of character I love on the page but I don't think I could survive in person haha! While Deena has a multitude of learning moments and goes through a clear character development arc (which - GOOD FOR HER), Rhork goes through a bit of some learning himself - both about humans and about his own desires - and by the end, it's clear the Niahhorru as a whole are going to have a lot of learning and growth ahead of them if they're to survive as a species. Based on the events of the book, it seems most of them are willing and well on their way to make that leap. :)
There was also a lot of funny or cute or endearing moments in this, nestled among all the action, and I loved it. Deena's awful songs, Rhork's dumb nicknames, the eager way the other pirates almost become like Deena's overgrown kids, the way Deena fights with zero fucks to give - ugh, so many good bits!
Some other notes:
This series as a whole is diverse, and I don't just mean because there's blue, red, and purple aliens. Although it's not been said outright, it sounds like nearly every human on the human colony is darker skinned to varying degree with the palest among them often succumbing to a 'sun sickness'. (Being pale af myself and avoiding the outdoors, I can only imagine the torture that would be living on a brutally hot moon with 2 suns bearing down on you. I don't know that I would survive, either!) Svera seems to be one of the palest and she's still described as "pale brown of her skin with [...] yellow undertones." The female characters have also had hair described as more textured, braided, locs, etc.
In this book, my earlier suspicion that a rotation is roughly the equivalent of about 3 earth years was confirmed: "And you, my dear, were asleep for almost two or maybe even three hundred rotations — that’s almost a thousand years in your early human time" However, this book also states the one rotation is about 400 solars: "One half rotation, or two hundred solars" That leads me to wonder how long a solar is because wow?? Although it's not really necessary for the plot or enjoyment of the series, I just enjoy thinking about this stuff. For example, this known universe includes many planets and moons spread across quadrants and it sounds like this is across solar systems - so the actual rotation of those planets and moons around their respective planets or suns must differ, yet they all refer to a rotation as a standard unit of time. I'm just fascinated at the idea of how that was decided and what it's based on.
Anyway, last but not least, have one of my many, many favorite quotes from Taken to Kor:
"I looked at myself naked and I looked at him naked, sprawled out on our net behind me and I thought to myself, damn if we don’t make a sexy, sexy family."
July 31, 2022
Found Family. Deena & Rhork
This was another good addition to this grumpy-sunshine series. I love all the big and little cinnamon rolls. The idea that Pirates are the most loving and family oriented group is sweet. I’m also happy that there was less “miscommunication” issues in this one. Deena really had to find herself and overcome a lot to be able to except Rhork’s feelings. I loved that most. She did get a little annoying with the “I’m a pirate” stuff near the end but I get it. I’ll be slowly working my way through this series since I don’t feel very compelled to get to the next, but I like that I can use it as a go to when I want good writing and to work through book slumps.
This was another good addition to this grumpy-sunshine series. I love all the big and little cinnamon rolls. The idea that Pirates are the most loving and family oriented group is sweet. I’m also happy that there was less “miscommunication” issues in this one. Deena really had to find herself and overcome a lot to be able to except Rhork’s feelings. I loved that most. She did get a little annoying with the “I’m a pirate” stuff near the end but I get it. I’ll be slowly working my way through this series since I don’t feel very compelled to get to the next, but I like that I can use it as a go to when I want good writing and to work through book slumps.
March 29, 2021
I received an ARC of Taken to Kor and it was so good I couldn't stop reading and devoured the book in record time. If you haven't read the Xiveri Mates series, it's set in the Voraxian system populated by planets with interesting non-human, quasi-human and human-like aliens and a desert planet colonized by a shipwrecked group of diverse humans. Elizabeth Stephens takes the reader on journeys through space in realistic shuttles, ships and satellites to amazing planets featuring deserts, beaches, jungles, and urban/city environments and unusual resources with interesting human, as well as non-human, quasi-human and human like aliens wielding amazing technology. Ms. Stephens is an expert with detailed, realistic description to make the reader feel as if they are in those Voraxian locations. The main characters, Deena, a brown skin human with self-esteem issues who believes she is defective due to a broken leg that was never fixed and Rhorkanterannu, a Niahorru pirate commander/king with four arms, plated exterior, jutting spines and hidden organs, have been introduced in previous books of the series and the stage has already been set for their romance. Taken to Kor has all of the elements of a great adventure with space pirates, evil villains, loyal and not so loyal pirates, as well as tenuous partnerships engaged in fighting (with and without weapons), space battles, kidnapping, gambling, and overall "bad-ass" scenarios. Culture, self-esteem, jealousy and life threatening situations get in the way of romance, but once Deena and Rhork figure it out, there is nothing but sizzle and heat and some very erotic scenes. A subplot of the story includes humans in stasis to be introduced to this exciting Voraxian system, so I know the series will continue and I will be waiting with baited breath for the next installment.
March 29, 2021
Deena and Rhork shewwww! I love there story! This book picked right back up where it left off in the last book! And the trip this book takes you on is a wild one! Miss Deena might be my favorite character! I I’ve her personality she had sass for days! She didn’t let her disability hold her back from the experiences or places she wanted to go in life! I’m equally glad that Rhork didn’t share her with the other pirates in shekkur. I couldn’t imagine 30 cocks in one go! There’d be no snap back from that lol! Their unconventional romance will snare you right way. The closure on Boraku and Mathilda was right on time! That evil needed to purged! I cannot wait to see what happens with the next star crossed lovers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2021
I would give this book so many more stars, because I freaking love it and this series so much, it is phenomenal, and so is the writing. I had won the first book, and so glad I did, because Elizabeth Stephens is an amazing writer. I binge read the first 4 books, couldn’t get enough of them. This is a series I will be reading over, and over, and over, and over...you get the idea. So, I am eternally grateful for winning that first book.
Rhork aka Rhorky bear met Deena via a com, and they started talking all the time. Rhork was dubbed as the bad guy in previous books, but is he really a bad guy? Shrugs, he’s just trying to save his people/species. They will go extinct with the lack of females, and the females they have are not having babies, wouldn’t most of us try and help to prevent that by any means necessary? That was rhetorical, because I think we all know that we would. For me he went from the “maybe a bad guy” to one of my favorite guys….the loyalty he has for his girl is everything, and hard to come by. He is absolutely smitten with our girl Deena, and he would move worlds to get to her. Oh, and not only is he a badass pirate, but he be bringing the dirty talk. And these two are absolutely insatiable with each other, they have so much chemistry, wow, the heat...spurred on by the dirty talking *winks*. Deena is a quirky temperamental and fearless badass, who can’t sing, but likes too, who rhymes words all the time, wields a blaster like it’s just another day...and most importantly, gets away with calling the King of the Pirates, Rhorky bear...true story my reading peeps. She is doubtful that he likes her back too, but let’s be honest, any guy, badass space pirate or not that not only lets, but likes that you call him Rhorky bear is smitten...on a ridiculous level. If that doesn’t show how much he likes her then I don’t know what will ...am I right? And she makes one hell of a pirate. The respect and awe she receives from him and his pirates is priceless, and well earned, because in their eyes she is one of them, a warrior space pirate. How cool is that. They all dote on her, and I think it’s adorable. I know, I know, their pirates so I probably shouldn’t use the word adorable, but it totally is.
Fantastic book, series and storyline. So much happens in this book, if you are a fan of this series, you definitely do not want to miss this one. So many things happen in this book, it will have you glued to the pages. Safe read, with a dirty talking badass space pirate King and his quirky and fearless pirate Queen, that have plenty of chemistry to spare. Lots of new character favorites, and a lot of our favorites from previous books too. Everyone is trying to place nice😉😁. And a very cool HEA. If you are a sci-fi romance reader, look no further, your next series addiction is here. You are welcome.
Rhork aka Rhorky bear met Deena via a com, and they started talking all the time. Rhork was dubbed as the bad guy in previous books, but is he really a bad guy? Shrugs, he’s just trying to save his people/species. They will go extinct with the lack of females, and the females they have are not having babies, wouldn’t most of us try and help to prevent that by any means necessary? That was rhetorical, because I think we all know that we would. For me he went from the “maybe a bad guy” to one of my favorite guys….the loyalty he has for his girl is everything, and hard to come by. He is absolutely smitten with our girl Deena, and he would move worlds to get to her. Oh, and not only is he a badass pirate, but he be bringing the dirty talk. And these two are absolutely insatiable with each other, they have so much chemistry, wow, the heat...spurred on by the dirty talking *winks*. Deena is a quirky temperamental and fearless badass, who can’t sing, but likes too, who rhymes words all the time, wields a blaster like it’s just another day...and most importantly, gets away with calling the King of the Pirates, Rhorky bear...true story my reading peeps. She is doubtful that he likes her back too, but let’s be honest, any guy, badass space pirate or not that not only lets, but likes that you call him Rhorky bear is smitten...on a ridiculous level. If that doesn’t show how much he likes her then I don’t know what will ...am I right? And she makes one hell of a pirate. The respect and awe she receives from him and his pirates is priceless, and well earned, because in their eyes she is one of them, a warrior space pirate. How cool is that. They all dote on her, and I think it’s adorable. I know, I know, their pirates so I probably shouldn’t use the word adorable, but it totally is.
Fantastic book, series and storyline. So much happens in this book, if you are a fan of this series, you definitely do not want to miss this one. So many things happen in this book, it will have you glued to the pages. Safe read, with a dirty talking badass space pirate King and his quirky and fearless pirate Queen, that have plenty of chemistry to spare. Lots of new character favorites, and a lot of our favorites from previous books too. Everyone is trying to place nice😉😁. And a very cool HEA. If you are a sci-fi romance reader, look no further, your next series addiction is here. You are welcome.
March 19, 2023
-Alien SciFi Romance
-Alien Hero/ Human Heroine
-Cute Nicknames
-Space Pirates
-Space Pirate City
-Possessive MMC
-Unhinged FMC
-Found Family
-MMC was antagonist in previous books
-His race has a hard time conceiving. They are compatible with humans 👀
-He is an alien that looks like an alien
-Pirates take what they want
-She’s insecure but he loves every part of her.
-Dual POV
-Action
-Spice
To no one’s surprise yet another Xiveri Mates book I loved 🤩 Rhork and Deena were so perfect for each other. I love that these crazy space pirates are getting paired with unhinged females. It makes for such a fun, crazy, and action-packed read.
While this is a standalone and plot-wise you can read this on its own and be fine. Personally I’d recommend reading books 1,2,4 beforehand because you get character cameos and I was living for them lol. They were definitely a fun highlight you’d get more out of, if you’ve read the other books.
Also I just think it’s funny that in contemporary romances if there is a baby, I can take it or leave it. But in Alien romances (especially if the alien mmc’s race or tribe has a hard time conceiving babies) when there is a baby I go full uwu 🥰🥹🥰🥹🥰🥹 lol it’s just so precious. And the baby scene in Taken to Kor did not disappoint. It was so so good and heartwarming.
-Alien Hero/ Human Heroine
-Cute Nicknames
-Space Pirates
-Space Pirate City
-Possessive MMC
-Unhinged FMC
-Found Family
-MMC was antagonist in previous books
-His race has a hard time conceiving. They are compatible with humans 👀
-He is an alien that looks like an alien
-Pirates take what they want
-She’s insecure but he loves every part of her.
-Dual POV
-Action
-Spice
To no one’s surprise yet another Xiveri Mates book I loved 🤩 Rhork and Deena were so perfect for each other. I love that these crazy space pirates are getting paired with unhinged females. It makes for such a fun, crazy, and action-packed read.
While this is a standalone and plot-wise you can read this on its own and be fine. Personally I’d recommend reading books 1,2,4 beforehand because you get character cameos and I was living for them lol. They were definitely a fun highlight you’d get more out of, if you’ve read the other books.
Also I just think it’s funny that in contemporary romances if there is a baby, I can take it or leave it. But in Alien romances (especially if the alien mmc’s race or tribe has a hard time conceiving babies) when there is a baby I go full uwu 🥰🥹🥰🥹🥰🥹 lol it’s just so precious. And the baby scene in Taken to Kor did not disappoint. It was so so good and heartwarming.
May 5, 2021
Deena, Deena, Deena...is Crazy or close to it!
Deena is lost in space, searching for the coordinates from Svera to find the human satellite. While missing and pining for Rhork, the evil pirate she's in lust with and believes doesn't want shekurr with her, Denna sings her silly songs and descends into further madness.
Rhorkanterannu, aka Rhork and Rhorky Bear, can't believe he let her get away. But pirate that he is, he can't let his fellow pirates know his longing for the mere human. Fortunately for Rhork, Deena's pilgrimage to the satellite is plagued with problems, and once again, she needs his help.
Deena arrives at her destination only to find it is not the welcoming place full of humans she expected. Instead, she encounters the nocturnal carpet people. After her rescue from certain death, Rhork takes Deena to Kor, where things heat up between her and Rhork, and, eventually, the beach. Deena lets her inner pirate out and joins Rhork's family of Niahhorru pirates.
Rhork is confident and knows what he wants and has known since the moment he heard her voice solars ago. In comparison, Deena's self-esteem is non-existent due to her good ol' grandma, Mathilda. Deena believes herself to be "defective" because of her limp, also courtesy of Mathilda.
Deena and Rhork are living the dream and rushing toward their HEA when trouble pops up at the beach. Svera and Miari, along with their mates, have cameos in the showdown and are surprised by Deena's transformation when they join forces to eliminate the threat.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 4 stars.
Deena is lost in space, searching for the coordinates from Svera to find the human satellite. While missing and pining for Rhork, the evil pirate she's in lust with and believes doesn't want shekurr with her, Denna sings her silly songs and descends into further madness.
Rhorkanterannu, aka Rhork and Rhorky Bear, can't believe he let her get away. But pirate that he is, he can't let his fellow pirates know his longing for the mere human. Fortunately for Rhork, Deena's pilgrimage to the satellite is plagued with problems, and once again, she needs his help.
Deena arrives at her destination only to find it is not the welcoming place full of humans she expected. Instead, she encounters the nocturnal carpet people. After her rescue from certain death, Rhork takes Deena to Kor, where things heat up between her and Rhork, and, eventually, the beach. Deena lets her inner pirate out and joins Rhork's family of Niahhorru pirates.
Rhork is confident and knows what he wants and has known since the moment he heard her voice solars ago. In comparison, Deena's self-esteem is non-existent due to her good ol' grandma, Mathilda. Deena believes herself to be "defective" because of her limp, also courtesy of Mathilda.
Deena and Rhork are living the dream and rushing toward their HEA when trouble pops up at the beach. Svera and Miari, along with their mates, have cameos in the showdown and are surprised by Deena's transformation when they join forces to eliminate the threat.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 4 stars.
August 27, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Surprisingly I think this is my least favorite in the series so far. LOVED Deena and Rhork but I just think that there was less time spent on their relationship and more time spent on setting up the stories for the next books. Which, hey, that's okay because Stephens does some fucking fabulous world-building 🫶🏻
Deena and Rhork are super fun characters. I love how they meet and fall in love before they even meet in person. Both are so funny and I love their pirate lifestyle 😆❤️
Loved getting to see my babies Svera and Krisxox again and the peaks into characters for the next books.☺️
Surprisingly I think this is my least favorite in the series so far. LOVED Deena and Rhork but I just think that there was less time spent on their relationship and more time spent on setting up the stories for the next books. Which, hey, that's okay because Stephens does some fucking fabulous world-building 🫶🏻
Deena and Rhork are super fun characters. I love how they meet and fall in love before they even meet in person. Both are so funny and I love their pirate lifestyle 😆❤️
Loved getting to see my babies Svera and Krisxox again and the peaks into characters for the next books.☺️
March 31, 2021
OMG! This is the best Xiveri Mates book yet! It has action, adventure, a love story and it is often laugh out loud funny! I cannot say more wonderful things about this story! EVERYONE should read this, hands down! You won’t regret it if you do!
March 31, 2021
Elizabeth, I love your books, they are captivating, packed with suspense and wrapped in love. What can I say, you have not disappointed with the latest upcoming release of 'Taken to Kor'. Taken to Kor, was gifted to me as an arc from Elizabeth. It's a wonderful exciting story about a caged, verbally abused women, named Deena. Deena struggled to see her strengths due to her weight gain and the continuous ill treatment, at the hands of her grandmother. Deena is actually extremely courageous, has kick ass attributes, saves lives and is thoughtfully giving. Rhork is a strong commander of a pirate ship, who is desperate to find a solution to a dying race by any means possible. He sounds like a terrible despicable alien male from the previous books right? Wrong, he really has a caring heart...you'll just have to read the story to find out why. Rhork and Deena meet when she was locked in that cage and there relationship flourished from there. I won't give away all the juicy details of the book...you have to dig into it for yourself. I will say that she is a formidable mate to Rhork, that fully imbraced the role of a pirate. Not to mention, her willingness to share the largest gift that Rhork purchased for her, whic aided in the unity of many alien races. Are you wondering what in the world type of gift could bring forth peace??? Well, well ,well now, I cannot tell it all, you will just have to read this awesome book for yourself. I have already given you several reasons why it's a must...now grab it and dig in!!
Elizabeth, please keep the series going...I love them and will continue to support you!!
Elizabeth, please keep the series going...I love them and will continue to support you!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
Favorite in the series so far ... The book itself has some dark moments but it is not a dark romance, meaning that although the characters must deal with some bad situations and pasts, the romance itself is not part of any darkness but builds and is supportive. I love books that can maintain this balance the dark moments/back story gives more depth and reality but at the same time show a balanced good relationship. The main character Deena has had to deal with abuse and neglect at the hands of her grandmother including being locked away and isolated. I absolutely loved the way the author is able to handle this and bring it back into character and personality traits that show both the Deena's inner strength and the trauma's influence. Throughout this series the Author has continued to be able to show different cultures and the characters having to learn to adapt learn about each other. I absolutely loved the pirate culture and how the crew comes to love and care for the Deena as one of their own. Her pirate Rhork is wonderful as a space pirate and pulls Deena into his world but at the same time adapts and changes to make the relationship work.
This book can be read on its own, but it will be better do to returning characters if you read the first books in the series.
This book can be read on its own, but it will be better do to returning characters if you read the first books in the series.
April 29, 2024
4*
This was definitely one of my favorite books in the series. Honestly, all of them are really nice and entertaining, but some stand out more than others. I was so eager to read this story after I finished the last installment and I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint at all. It was one of the best. Considering the characters, the development and everything else included.
The main couple was one of the cutest ever. They fell in love even before meeting each other. I wish we could have seen a few of their past talks, but still was so amazing to see them together now. You could actually feel their love from the beginning and I’m quite sure the hero fell first and definitely way harder. They formed such a cute pair together and I loved the found family plot as a background. And, of course, I adored all the action and the kickassness from the heroine, she was absolutely one of my favorites ever.
Elizabeth Stephens knows how to write engaging and entertaining stories and her books seem to be getting better and better. I’m completely hooked on this series and probably won’t stop until I finish the whole thing. I’m looking forward to reading the next installments and learning even more about this absolute masterpiece of a galaxy.
This was definitely one of my favorite books in the series. Honestly, all of them are really nice and entertaining, but some stand out more than others. I was so eager to read this story after I finished the last installment and I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint at all. It was one of the best. Considering the characters, the development and everything else included.
The main couple was one of the cutest ever. They fell in love even before meeting each other. I wish we could have seen a few of their past talks, but still was so amazing to see them together now. You could actually feel their love from the beginning and I’m quite sure the hero fell first and definitely way harder. They formed such a cute pair together and I loved the found family plot as a background. And, of course, I adored all the action and the kickassness from the heroine, she was absolutely one of my favorites ever.
Elizabeth Stephens knows how to write engaging and entertaining stories and her books seem to be getting better and better. I’m completely hooked on this series and probably won’t stop until I finish the whole thing. I’m looking forward to reading the next installments and learning even more about this absolute masterpiece of a galaxy.
May 3, 2021
A romp, through and through.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a romp through and through! There was no downtime. That said, I did not feel as though I were rushed to the finish, or that my inability to read at a slower pace got in the way of my enjoyment. I admired the way in which the author took pains to repeat certain facts that for readers of the previous books may have seemed a little disjointed with present actions, e.g., Roark calling Deena defective and Deena’s inability to look past whatever imperfections she thought she might have to believe in the affections of Roark. I also loved the way in which Deena’s quirks became embraced by the pirates, in general, e.g., songs about spoons, plants and other miscellaneous objects.
Deena was such a character with her songs about nothingness and the way she embraced her new life as a pirate and they embraced her. Equally, I reveled in Roark’s periodic self-admission that Deena was his pirate, a hell of a pirate, born to be a pirate, was a wonderful pirate mate, etc. Especially, that scene in which he attempted to discuss Deena’s self-imposed shortcomings with his most intimate circle. That was hilarious. In sum, she found them and they found her.
Two last tidbits: 1) I thought I was going to have a heart attack with the scene in the tunnel with the carpet person and 2) although I normally strongly dislike books that deprive me as the reader from my full 95% of the books, at 89% of the book, I felt it complete. There was nothing more that needed to be said.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a romp through and through! There was no downtime. That said, I did not feel as though I were rushed to the finish, or that my inability to read at a slower pace got in the way of my enjoyment. I admired the way in which the author took pains to repeat certain facts that for readers of the previous books may have seemed a little disjointed with present actions, e.g., Roark calling Deena defective and Deena’s inability to look past whatever imperfections she thought she might have to believe in the affections of Roark. I also loved the way in which Deena’s quirks became embraced by the pirates, in general, e.g., songs about spoons, plants and other miscellaneous objects.
Deena was such a character with her songs about nothingness and the way she embraced her new life as a pirate and they embraced her. Equally, I reveled in Roark’s periodic self-admission that Deena was his pirate, a hell of a pirate, born to be a pirate, was a wonderful pirate mate, etc. Especially, that scene in which he attempted to discuss Deena’s self-imposed shortcomings with his most intimate circle. That was hilarious. In sum, she found them and they found her.
Two last tidbits: 1) I thought I was going to have a heart attack with the scene in the tunnel with the carpet person and 2) although I normally strongly dislike books that deprive me as the reader from my full 95% of the books, at 89% of the book, I felt it complete. There was nothing more that needed to be said.
June 5, 2025
“Family is not bound by blood. Family is bound by love. You are and have always been a pirate. You are and always will be loved by each and every one of us.”
This easily became on of my favorites in the series. Deena and Rhork were literally perfect for each other! These two went on such a beautiful journey with fun hijinks along the way. Deena had so many hangups, and Rhork was a reassuring king who was ready to go to war, even with herself, for Deena to shake those insecurities. They were also hilarious and the best kind of ruthless. Rhork was so slick and Deena was so unhinged. An amazing combo!
Beyond the romance, we got one of the best ensembles to date! I loved their pirate family so bad! I know I know, but all is forgiven, because these are my babies and they mean no harm (and the ones who did were dealt with!). Elizabeth's pen game remains elite!! Having a blast traveling through these cosmos!
This easily became on of my favorites in the series. Deena and Rhork were literally perfect for each other! These two went on such a beautiful journey with fun hijinks along the way. Deena had so many hangups, and Rhork was a reassuring king who was ready to go to war, even with herself, for Deena to shake those insecurities. They were also hilarious and the best kind of ruthless. Rhork was so slick and Deena was so unhinged. An amazing combo!
Beyond the romance, we got one of the best ensembles to date! I loved their pirate family so bad! I know I know, but all is forgiven, because these are my babies and they mean no harm (and the ones who did were dealt with!). Elizabeth's pen game remains elite!! Having a blast traveling through these cosmos!
March 31, 2021
I think this may be my favorite of the series. I loved getting to know Deena and Rhork. Deena is hilarious and brave. And honestly more women pirates should be a thing. And Rhork such a sweetheart.
August 29, 2023
4.3 🌟's
✨ tropes: alien rom, fated mates, pirates, hate to love, curvy heroine, disability rep
🌶 spice: 3/5
i really enjoyed this one!! deena is such a hilarious, badass character and she needs + deserves all the love that our pirate can give her <3
✨ tropes: alien rom, fated mates, pirates, hate to love, curvy heroine, disability rep
🌶 spice: 3/5
i really enjoyed this one!! deena is such a hilarious, badass character and she needs + deserves all the love that our pirate can give her <3
July 17, 2024
I'm rating this a four star (first one in the series) because of the unique characters this book contains. Both of the main characters are quite literally certifiable, which makes for some funny times.
Want to read
July 29, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/29/2021)! 🎁
September 18, 2023
DNF
I had to stop reading a certain author because the female characters progressively got worse. I hope this isn't the case here 😕
I had to stop reading a certain author because the female characters progressively got worse. I hope this isn't the case here 😕
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