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Raider Warlords of the Vandar #3
Pillaged
I was promised against my will to an imperial general. . .so I escaped. Right into the arms of an even more ruthless Vandar warlord.
I’d thought things had been bad when I’d been ordered to marry the repulsive Zagrath general. But then I’d been captured by the empire’s most deadly enemy--the Vandar raiders. With their battle kilts and tails, the raiders are known for being fierce warriors who never take prisoners. Until now.
The fear I feel when I'm taken by the menacing Vandar warlord is confirmed when I discover why he treats me like an honored guest. Taking the general’s bride is one thing, but to strike the most personal blow the Vandar must claim me as his, taking me to his bed until his mating marks appear on my skin and mark me as his true mate.
But he has no intention of forcing me. He wants to make a deal—become his willingly and I will get what I’ve always wanted—my freedom from a loveless, arranged marriage. Can I agree to a deal with the darkly dominant warlord who stokes both my fear and desire? Even if being claimed by the Vandar is only revenge for him and freedom for me, will my heart remain untouched as he pillages my body? And will the general give me up so easily, or will he come for both of us with all the firepower of the empire?
"Pillaged is a full-length sci-fi romance novel with an HEA and no cheating. It features steamy scenes on a raider warship, alien horde space battles, and some serious heat.
If you like dominant and dangerous alien warriors, alien abduction to seduction, and marriage of convenience romance, you’ll love "Pillaged", the third book in Tana Stone’s sci-fi romance series, Raider Warlords of the Vandar. Each book can be read as a standalone.
I’d thought things had been bad when I’d been ordered to marry the repulsive Zagrath general. But then I’d been captured by the empire’s most deadly enemy--the Vandar raiders. With their battle kilts and tails, the raiders are known for being fierce warriors who never take prisoners. Until now.
The fear I feel when I'm taken by the menacing Vandar warlord is confirmed when I discover why he treats me like an honored guest. Taking the general’s bride is one thing, but to strike the most personal blow the Vandar must claim me as his, taking me to his bed until his mating marks appear on my skin and mark me as his true mate.
But he has no intention of forcing me. He wants to make a deal—become his willingly and I will get what I’ve always wanted—my freedom from a loveless, arranged marriage. Can I agree to a deal with the darkly dominant warlord who stokes both my fear and desire? Even if being claimed by the Vandar is only revenge for him and freedom for me, will my heart remain untouched as he pillages my body? And will the general give me up so easily, or will he come for both of us with all the firepower of the empire?
"Pillaged is a full-length sci-fi romance novel with an HEA and no cheating. It features steamy scenes on a raider warship, alien horde space battles, and some serious heat.
If you like dominant and dangerous alien warriors, alien abduction to seduction, and marriage of convenience romance, you’ll love "Pillaged", the third book in Tana Stone’s sci-fi romance series, Raider Warlords of the Vandar. Each book can be read as a standalone.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2021
894 people are currently reading
1263 people want to read
About the author
Tana Stone
102 books825 followersI love sexy aliens and independent heroines. I grew up on Star Trek: Next Generation and Star Wars (and I adore them equally). My favorite superhero is Thor (with Aquaman a close second because, well, Jason Momoa), my favorite dessert is key lime pie (okay, fine, all pie), and I still lament the loss of Firefly.
I live in North Carolina in the US and have one husband, two teenagers, and two neurotic cats. I sometimes wish I could teleport to a holographic space station like the one in my tribute brides series (or maybe vacation at the oasis with the sand planet barbarians). :-) When I'm not writing, I love to paddleboard, dive, travel, and read obsessively!
Want to hang out with me in my private Facebook group? Join on all the fun at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tanas...
I live in North Carolina in the US and have one husband, two teenagers, and two neurotic cats. I sometimes wish I could teleport to a holographic space station like the one in my tribute brides series (or maybe vacation at the oasis with the sand planet barbarians). :-) When I'm not writing, I love to paddleboard, dive, travel, and read obsessively!
Want to hang out with me in my private Facebook group? Join on all the fun at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tanas...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
May 25, 2022
“You haven’t lived until you’ve been tail fucked by a Vandar.”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💙💚💜🤎❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🫢😤😡😊🥰
The Hero: Raas Toraan - younger brother to Raas Kratos and Raas Kaalek. He was trained to be a Raas by his uncle and given his uncle’s horde when his uncle retired to a Vandar hidden community. Toraan has the largest and most technologically advanced Horde.
The heroine: Rachel - a human woman who was raised on one of the alien worlds. Her parents knew from the time of her birth that they would use her to make an arranged marriage that would benefit them. Rachel was to marry an admiral of the Zagrath empire named Kurmog. He is three times her age and she could see the evil in him from the start.
The Story: Rachel escapes the Zagrath ship during a battle with the Vandar and fled to a Vandar horde ship where she asks for asylum. Toraan vows to protect her, especially when Rachel says she will give them information on the Zagrath’s plans for the Vandar.
Like the first two books, this one was dual points of view and done in duet narration. Unlike dual narration, in which a male narrator reads the chapters written from the male perspective and does all the voices in those chapters (both male and female), and vice versa, in duet narration the woman voices all the female characters and the man voices all the males. This is my favorite type of narration and both narrators had extremely pleasant voices and were great narrators.
This book was quite steamy and had a good story. The romance was was intriguing and both main characters had a past that lent more to the story and the romance between them. I plan to read more from this series.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Romance: 💙💚💜🤎❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🫢😤😡😊🥰
The Hero: Raas Toraan - younger brother to Raas Kratos and Raas Kaalek. He was trained to be a Raas by his uncle and given his uncle’s horde when his uncle retired to a Vandar hidden community. Toraan has the largest and most technologically advanced Horde.
The heroine: Rachel - a human woman who was raised on one of the alien worlds. Her parents knew from the time of her birth that they would use her to make an arranged marriage that would benefit them. Rachel was to marry an admiral of the Zagrath empire named Kurmog. He is three times her age and she could see the evil in him from the start.
The Story: Rachel escapes the Zagrath ship during a battle with the Vandar and fled to a Vandar horde ship where she asks for asylum. Toraan vows to protect her, especially when Rachel says she will give them information on the Zagrath’s plans for the Vandar.
Like the first two books, this one was dual points of view and done in duet narration. Unlike dual narration, in which a male narrator reads the chapters written from the male perspective and does all the voices in those chapters (both male and female), and vice versa, in duet narration the woman voices all the female characters and the man voices all the males. This is my favorite type of narration and both narrators had extremely pleasant voices and were great narrators.
This book was quite steamy and had a good story. The romance was was intriguing and both main characters had a past that lent more to the story and the romance between them. I plan to read more from this series.
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January 7, 2021
"You understand what it means to be mine? You know that no one will ever touch you again but me? Once you are claimed by a Raas, it is for life."
Her words were soft. "I understand."
A bride on the run strikes a deal with a Raas with a closed off heart... 5 stars!!
I have been enjoying this series by Tana Stone so freaking much! As I've stated before, Tana's writing is so easy to fall into and her characters are so unique and tangible. I love the possessive and commanding nature of the Vandar and how the women they fall for are badass and capable of standing alongside their Raas, and Toraan and Rachael were no exceptions.
Both Toraan and Rachael have had bad luck in love and neither were eager to form a mate bond with someone from an alien race. However after Tor rescues Rachael from the imperial forces, they form an alliance that will benefit them both and help protect the Vandar from encroaching imperial battleships. Too bad neither can help but fall for the other as they spend more time together, even though their budding relationship has plenty of landmines to wade through. I love the sense of danger and drama in this installment, while the ending provided more surprises and friendly faces than I was expecting. I know I've said this before, but I am so stoked for the next book as it promises to be even more dramatic! ♡
*ARC provided by GMB promo, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
dnf
November 23, 2022DNF @ 45%
I just don't care and life is just too short to not read an exemplary alien romance
I just don't care and life is just too short to not read an exemplary alien romance
January 12, 2021
2.5 stars
May 14, 2021
Tana....you are one cool chick!
Another hot read! FMC was annoying at times which brought on the 4 star instead of 5. At times, found myself wanting to reach into the pages and shake come sense into her. However, the storyline and yet another amazing MC make up for it!
Love this series!
Happy reading,
DD 💕
Another hot read! FMC was annoying at times which brought on the 4 star instead of 5. At times, found myself wanting to reach into the pages and shake come sense into her. However, the storyline and yet another amazing MC make up for it!
Love this series!
Happy reading,
DD 💕
October 31, 2024
**2.2/5 stars**
Rachael has been sold by her parents to a Zagrath general intent on marrying her. When the Zagrath ship is attacked by Vandar raiders, she seizes her chance to escape in a shuttle, believing herself unseen. However, one of the Vandar ships spots her and captures her. Initially suspicious, Toraan, the Vandar warlord, soon listens as Rachael claims to have valuable information about the Zagrath. Toraan proposes a deal: she must become his mate to ensure her protection and legitimize his claim on her.
I hated this heroine. It's pretty sad because I did like her at first; she seemed lovely and sweet. I also liked her backstory. But as the story went, she showed herself to be so immature and naive. I don't recall her ever leaving the Raas' quarters and she never showed interest in going out of that room, meeting with the crew or asked any questions. It was just weird. She seemed so out of the loop the whole time.
As for Toraan, he seemed more nonchalant than his older brothers, Kratos and Kaalek; a bit less of an asshole, but also incredibly boring. My indifference turned to frustration when he never mentioned Lila, his past lover, to Rachael. While Lila was indeed problematic,
I didn’t think they had good chemistry at all. As I mentioned in my notes, I don’t believe the OW trope fits in a Fated Mates story. The premise is about two characters meant for each other, so introducing a conniving woman just to provoke bad decisions feels overdone and cliché. I really dislike how the OW always seems to be portrayed as deceitful and problematic. It honestly ruined the whole book for me, even though it was pretty average to begin with.
✔️HFN
✔️Standalone Part of a series
✔️Dual POV
✔️Fated Mates
✔️Protective H
✔️Sweet/Beautiful h
✔️No OW*/OM
✔️No cheating but see above
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
⚡Trigger warning
I believe this series has a main plot that will chronologically develop with each installment, so you probably want to read them all in order.
Rachael has been sold by her parents to a Zagrath general intent on marrying her. When the Zagrath ship is attacked by Vandar raiders, she seizes her chance to escape in a shuttle, believing herself unseen. However, one of the Vandar ships spots her and captures her. Initially suspicious, Toraan, the Vandar warlord, soon listens as Rachael claims to have valuable information about the Zagrath. Toraan proposes a deal: she must become his mate to ensure her protection and legitimize his claim on her.
“I’d rather be tortured than sent back to the admiral. I’d just tell the Vandar that I requested asylum, and hope they would show me mercy.”-Rachael
I hated this heroine. It's pretty sad because I did like her at first; she seemed lovely and sweet. I also liked her backstory. But as the story went, she showed herself to be so immature and naive. I don't recall her ever leaving the Raas' quarters and she never showed interest in going out of that room, meeting with the crew or asked any questions. It was just weird. She seemed so out of the loop the whole time.
“I have no intention of giving you to the empire—not now and not ever. You belong to the Vandar.”-Toraan
As for Toraan, he seemed more nonchalant than his older brothers, Kratos and Kaalek; a bit less of an asshole, but also incredibly boring. My indifference turned to frustration when he never mentioned Lila, his past lover, to Rachael. While Lila was indeed problematic,
I didn’t think they had good chemistry at all. As I mentioned in my notes, I don’t believe the OW trope fits in a Fated Mates story. The premise is about two characters meant for each other, so introducing a conniving woman just to provoke bad decisions feels overdone and cliché. I really dislike how the OW always seems to be portrayed as deceitful and problematic. It honestly ruined the whole book for me, even though it was pretty average to begin with.
✔️HFN
✔️Standalone Part of a series
✔️Dual POV
✔️Fated Mates
✔️Protective H
✔️Sweet/Beautiful h
✔️No OW*/OM
✔️No cheating but see above
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
⚡Trigger warning
I believe this series has a main plot that will chronologically develop with each installment, so you probably want to read them all in order.
Raider Warlords of the Vandar Series
1. Possessed - 2. Plundered
3. Pillaged* - 4. Pursued
5. Punished - 6. Provoked
7. Prodigal - 8. Prisoner
9. Protector - 10. Prince
January 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I’m obsessed with this series and this world, I’ve said it in the first two books and I’m saying it again.
Pillaged is the third book in the Raider Warlords of the Vandar. This book is about Toraan, Krato’s and Kaalek’s younger brother, and Rachael, the Zagrath Admiral’s runaway bride. Rachael escaped the Empire’s ship and fell right into the arms of Toraan. At first, their relationship is about mutual benefits: Rachael tells Toraan everything she knows about the Zagrath’s strategy and Toraan protects her from the Zagrath and the Admiral. But soon their chemistry changes the plan…
I’m sorry to say this wasn’t my favorite book in the series. Toraan is a very strategic Warlord, sometimes he was so calculating that he came off as cold. I liked that we get a bit from his romantic past that did explain how cautious he was with his heart. I definitely liked Rachael, she ran away from the Admiral fiercely and I loved how she was a really fierce sweet independent girl (what she did, before her parents send her away to marry the very old Admiral, was hilarious!). The storyline was great, the world building was a little more developed and I really enjoyed the fact we got to see more of the Vandar’s world. However, my favorite couple in this series is still Kaalek and Astrid, from the second book in this series.
Overall, Pillaged was a good addition to this series with a great storyline, steamy scenes and lots of action. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I’m obsessed with this series and this world, I’ve said it in the first two books and I’m saying it again.
Pillaged is the third book in the Raider Warlords of the Vandar. This book is about Toraan, Krato’s and Kaalek’s younger brother, and Rachael, the Zagrath Admiral’s runaway bride. Rachael escaped the Empire’s ship and fell right into the arms of Toraan. At first, their relationship is about mutual benefits: Rachael tells Toraan everything she knows about the Zagrath’s strategy and Toraan protects her from the Zagrath and the Admiral. But soon their chemistry changes the plan…
I’m sorry to say this wasn’t my favorite book in the series. Toraan is a very strategic Warlord, sometimes he was so calculating that he came off as cold. I liked that we get a bit from his romantic past that did explain how cautious he was with his heart. I definitely liked Rachael, she ran away from the Admiral fiercely and I loved how she was a really fierce sweet independent girl (what she did, before her parents send her away to marry the very old Admiral, was hilarious!). The storyline was great, the world building was a little more developed and I really enjoyed the fact we got to see more of the Vandar’s world. However, my favorite couple in this series is still Kaalek and Astrid, from the second book in this series.
Overall, Pillaged was a good addition to this series with a great storyline, steamy scenes and lots of action. Can’t wait to read the next one!
January 25, 2021
4 Stars
January 13, 2021
It was just Ok for me.
I hated Rachael's character.
I hated Rachael's character.
December 22, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Tana Stone’s new book about Rachael, the runaway Empire bride and Toraan, the third Vandar brother of the raider warlords. She’s a strong innocent who knows what she does NOT want in life and who impulsively takes matters into her own hands. He’s a strong believer in planning and strategy and who thinks of all possibilities before acting on them. Together they balance out each other as Toraan’s uncle and mentor is quick to note. After Rachael runs away from the old, old, old Empire general and is captured by Toraan and his raiders, her real life begins and so does Toraan’s. They spend their time getting to know each other while Toraan tries to determine if she is an honest person. It is not until his previous girlfriend stirs up trouble that the two become estranged. When Rachael runs once again, she is captured, but this time, it is by the old Empire general, her parentally-arranged fiancé. Toraan, with the help of his brothers, must fight to retrieve her as well as save all of the secret Vandar colonies. The book is filled with the Vandar characters trying to figure out if the human is a spy or not. Bless his heart, but Toraan has never encountered anyone as innocently naïve and sweet as Rachael. She is who she appears to be, even though she is an independent person. She doesn’t have a deceitful, devious bone in her body or mind. It’s truly refreshing that he meets his match in a character like her when the conniving Lila had almost destroyed him. Book lovers will enjoy this version of an HEA as the story gives details about what Toraan’s mind pushes him to think (Readers shout, “NO!”) and what his heart tells him is true (Readers shout, “YES!”). Yes to the story and yes to the characters, and I cannot wait until book number 4 with Bron’s story.
January 7, 2021
This is a outstanding Sci-fi alien romance & definitely a splendid addition to the “Raider Warlords of the Vandar” series. The world building is excellent with good scene descriptions & has an interesting, well-paced plot filled with suspenseful situations. The well-developed characters are likable with quite complex personalities & they have good support from the secondary characters.
It is about: a feisty young human female (Rachael) is not impressed when her financially greedy parents arrange a marriage to an old wrinkled male ZaIgrath Imperial Admiral (Kurmog) so she promptly escapes during an attack by a Vandar Horde only to be captured by a Vandar Warlord (Rass Tooran) who has an extremely interesting proposition for her.
There is: various kinds of aliens, humans, family issues, an arranged marriage, mates, twists & turns, drama, action, adventure, intrigue, suspense, defiance, danger, threats, enemies, attacks, vengeful feelings, devious plans, war, conflict, violence, suspicions, protectiveness, determination, manipulations, misunderstandings, doubts, contentment, steamy scenes & a happy conclusion for this couple. There is a very interesting epilogue that is paving the way for the next book in the series.
It is about: a feisty young human female (Rachael) is not impressed when her financially greedy parents arrange a marriage to an old wrinkled male ZaIgrath Imperial Admiral (Kurmog) so she promptly escapes during an attack by a Vandar Horde only to be captured by a Vandar Warlord (Rass Tooran) who has an extremely interesting proposition for her.
There is: various kinds of aliens, humans, family issues, an arranged marriage, mates, twists & turns, drama, action, adventure, intrigue, suspense, defiance, danger, threats, enemies, attacks, vengeful feelings, devious plans, war, conflict, violence, suspicions, protectiveness, determination, manipulations, misunderstandings, doubts, contentment, steamy scenes & a happy conclusion for this couple. There is a very interesting epilogue that is paving the way for the next book in the series.
January 7, 2021
5 stars ⭐️
Well done Tana Stone, you’ve done it again. The Vandar Warlords series just keeps getting better with each book. Plenty of action, hunky warriors, and a sassy heroine, what’s not to like.
Well done Tana Stone, you’ve done it again. The Vandar Warlords series just keeps getting better with each book. Plenty of action, hunky warriors, and a sassy heroine, what’s not to like.
February 25, 2022
Terrible characters
The series isn't bad, but not Stone's best. There is no reason for this couple to really be together other than physical attraction and stubbornness. Although all too realistic in how little the characters verbally communicate, including cutting off each other, walking away or ignoring the other (Toraan is just an ass at the banquet), I really felt like Rachael could have done better. Someone more swoon-worthy, who looks at her, learns about her and uses her memory skills and lets her do stuff on the ship other than bathe, sleep and f***.
The series isn't bad, but not Stone's best. There is no reason for this couple to really be together other than physical attraction and stubbornness. Although all too realistic in how little the characters verbally communicate, including cutting off each other, walking away or ignoring the other (Toraan is just an ass at the banquet), I really felt like Rachael could have done better. Someone more swoon-worthy, who looks at her, learns about her and uses her memory skills and lets her do stuff on the ship other than bathe, sleep and f***.
December 29, 2025
The vendor warriors oh they’re so good I love this whole series. I’ve gotten them all now they’re wonderful.
October 20, 2022
Raiders Warlords of the Vandar is an alien romance series written by Tana Stone. The premises is around a galactic war with two sides: the Zagrath Imperial Empire and those who oppose it. The Empire is made mostly of humans. The Vandar Raiders are warriors that fight the Empire and all who associate, while aiding those who rebel against them. These aren’t noble warriors. The Vandars are ruthless raiders, taking and destroying. The Vandar species are muscular humanoids, with tannish-bronze skin, magical mating tattoos tails and huge cocks (of course).
Written in first person, Pillaged is book 3 in this series, and follows Vandar raider Toraan and the human Rachel. Toraan is the Raas of his crew, which is basically the leader (aka Warlord), and also Kratos’s and Kaalek’s younger brother (from books 1&2). He follows in his father and uncle’s footsteps, who were also Raas. Rachel was caught by Toraan as she was fleeing a Zagrath Commander that her parents arranged for her to marry. In a wedding dress, she used the cover of the battle at the end of book 2 to escape in a shuttle. She gives Toraan information in exchange for asylum.
The two fell in love along the journey. Even though Toraan could have taken Rachel’s desired body without permission, he waited until she consented. And she did consent eventually, falling in love the more she got to know him regardless of their agreement. Toraan was heartbroken after Rachel fled and the mating marks appeared on both their bodies, he rescued her then the two lived happily ever after.
What initially made me love this particular series was that this wasn’t some alien species that protected all women and honorably waited for consent. No. They took what they wanted. Which made for some very spicy sex scenes in the first book. I wouldn’t exactly call them “romantic,” more like brutish and carnal, which is right up my alley. I liked the idea of less nobility and morals, and more savage dominance. Unfortunately, there was less of that in this book, which left extremely disappointed with this read. Hopefully the next book will redeem the series.
Written in first person, Pillaged is book 3 in this series, and follows Vandar raider Toraan and the human Rachel. Toraan is the Raas of his crew, which is basically the leader (aka Warlord), and also Kratos’s and Kaalek’s younger brother (from books 1&2). He follows in his father and uncle’s footsteps, who were also Raas. Rachel was caught by Toraan as she was fleeing a Zagrath Commander that her parents arranged for her to marry. In a wedding dress, she used the cover of the battle at the end of book 2 to escape in a shuttle. She gives Toraan information in exchange for asylum.
The two fell in love along the journey. Even though Toraan could have taken Rachel’s desired body without permission, he waited until she consented. And she did consent eventually, falling in love the more she got to know him regardless of their agreement. Toraan was heartbroken after Rachel fled and the mating marks appeared on both their bodies, he rescued her then the two lived happily ever after.
What initially made me love this particular series was that this wasn’t some alien species that protected all women and honorably waited for consent. No. They took what they wanted. Which made for some very spicy sex scenes in the first book. I wouldn’t exactly call them “romantic,” more like brutish and carnal, which is right up my alley. I liked the idea of less nobility and morals, and more savage dominance. Unfortunately, there was less of that in this book, which left extremely disappointed with this read. Hopefully the next book will redeem the series.
January 11, 2021
Best series ever I can't get enough💖💖💖💖💖
Torran is the youngest of the 3 brothers. He is not o my a warrior but a skilled strategist he knows she. Someone is lying to him. He came to help his brothers defeat the Empire and liberate a planet. What he did was Chase after a shipped that escaped the Empire during the battle. What he found was more than he ever expected. Rachel a young human woman whose parents pretty much sold her to a horrible admiral of the Empire escapes during the battle while wearing her wedding dress. She a has a photographic memory and remembered enough to drive the small shuttle off during the battle. What she doesn't expect is to be captured by the most gorgeous male a Vandar warrior that she has ever seen. Both have their food blooded reasons for helping the other, but neither of them expected to truly fall in love. I can't explain or put into words properly how good this series is and I've read all of Tana Stones books and have enjoyed each and everyone.💖 but this series speaks to me the males are so alpha but in the best possible ways and the females are strong , fun , intelligent. Each couple truly complements one another. They might each other up and together they become stronger. The passion is so incredibly hot and emotional pull between the character feels genuine and the action is intense. It's the perfect series I highly recommend reading each and everyone!!!!💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Torran is the youngest of the 3 brothers. He is not o my a warrior but a skilled strategist he knows she. Someone is lying to him. He came to help his brothers defeat the Empire and liberate a planet. What he did was Chase after a shipped that escaped the Empire during the battle. What he found was more than he ever expected. Rachel a young human woman whose parents pretty much sold her to a horrible admiral of the Empire escapes during the battle while wearing her wedding dress. She a has a photographic memory and remembered enough to drive the small shuttle off during the battle. What she doesn't expect is to be captured by the most gorgeous male a Vandar warrior that she has ever seen. Both have their food blooded reasons for helping the other, but neither of them expected to truly fall in love. I can't explain or put into words properly how good this series is and I've read all of Tana Stones books and have enjoyed each and everyone.💖 but this series speaks to me the males are so alpha but in the best possible ways and the females are strong , fun , intelligent. Each couple truly complements one another. They might each other up and together they become stronger. The passion is so incredibly hot and emotional pull between the character feels genuine and the action is intense. It's the perfect series I highly recommend reading each and everyone!!!!💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
March 9, 2021
Runaway bride, mate of convenience, rejected Zagrath Admiral ... what could possibly go wrong?!
Written for mature readers only (18+ years old) due to subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some including adult language, steamy intimate scenes and violence. This includes kidnapping, human trafficking (sold by parents to a Zagrath), fighting to the death, etc.
This is the third story in the series, and while it could probably be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend it be read in series order for maximum reader satisfaction and to prevent spoilers as there are reoccurring characters and an overall storyline arc.
There are a couple of grammatical errors that I have tracked and will send to the author separately, but nothing major or pervasive. For the most part, the story universe is well developed and the characters intriguing, so that is why I rated it 5 stars.
Toraan and Rachael are the latest Vandar and human couple, but they decide to become mates rationally and for political reasons. Rachael is the runaway bride of a Zagrath Admiral that is “rescued” by Vandar Raas Toraan.
Rachael has information about the Admiral and their plan concerning the war with the Vandar. She is willing to trade it for protection from the Zagrath, but Toraan takes it one step further and makes an offer to be his mate. That way she would be protected by all Vandar hordes.
Written for mature readers only (18+ years old) due to subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some including adult language, steamy intimate scenes and violence. This includes kidnapping, human trafficking (sold by parents to a Zagrath), fighting to the death, etc.
This is the third story in the series, and while it could probably be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend it be read in series order for maximum reader satisfaction and to prevent spoilers as there are reoccurring characters and an overall storyline arc.
There are a couple of grammatical errors that I have tracked and will send to the author separately, but nothing major or pervasive. For the most part, the story universe is well developed and the characters intriguing, so that is why I rated it 5 stars.
Toraan and Rachael are the latest Vandar and human couple, but they decide to become mates rationally and for political reasons. Rachael is the runaway bride of a Zagrath Admiral that is “rescued” by Vandar Raas Toraan.
Rachael has information about the Admiral and their plan concerning the war with the Vandar. She is willing to trade it for protection from the Zagrath, but Toraan takes it one step further and makes an offer to be his mate. That way she would be protected by all Vandar hordes.
May 24, 2023
A steamy and fun story
Toraan and Rachel’s alien-human, runaway bride, mating of convenience romance was such a fun and steamy read. I am loving this series and all the growly Vandar warriors. Toraan is the Raas of one of the largest Vandar hordes. Rachel is a human who was sold to the Admiral of the Empire as his bride. While having a wedding dress fitting, the Empire ship is engaged in a battle with two Vandar hordes and Rachel uses that distraction as a way to escape. Toraan’s horde captures her ship and upon learning who she is to the empire, he offers to mate her as protection for her and an insult to the Empire. Even though neither of them desire a love match, feelings rarely stay in the boxes we assign them and the strategic arrangement soon becomes more. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline with all the good elements that you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, alien physiology and cultures, evil overlords, loyal friends, painful pasts, drama, snark, mystery, plot twists, and laughs. I will keep reading more of this series. Vandar warriors are clearly no match for human females.
Toraan and Rachel’s alien-human, runaway bride, mating of convenience romance was such a fun and steamy read. I am loving this series and all the growly Vandar warriors. Toraan is the Raas of one of the largest Vandar hordes. Rachel is a human who was sold to the Admiral of the Empire as his bride. While having a wedding dress fitting, the Empire ship is engaged in a battle with two Vandar hordes and Rachel uses that distraction as a way to escape. Toraan’s horde captures her ship and upon learning who she is to the empire, he offers to mate her as protection for her and an insult to the Empire. Even though neither of them desire a love match, feelings rarely stay in the boxes we assign them and the strategic arrangement soon becomes more. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline with all the good elements that you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, alien physiology and cultures, evil overlords, loyal friends, painful pasts, drama, snark, mystery, plot twists, and laughs. I will keep reading more of this series. Vandar warriors are clearly no match for human females.
January 18, 2022
Rachel was promised by her parents to be a Vagrath Imperial General's bride but he was much older than her and so she took her chances and managed to escape during a battle. Her ship was captured by the Vandar raiders - alien men who wear battle kilts and have tails. They never take prisoners but the hoard's Raas Toraan makes an exception for her and instead he is determined to take her as his mate by claiming her repeatedly in his bed until the mating marks appear on her skin. So having made a deal she is his willingly which will give her freedom from the Imperial General. The question is, will the General accept the situation?
Part of me enjoyed this story with the strange attitude that Toraan had as well as her determination to protect her heart, but there were many things that made me just want to shake her until she wised up. Running away constantly is not a solution and she seriously showed a total disregard for her own life at times which contracts her determination to be free of the situation her parents put her in. Easy to read and understand (even if I didn't agree with the characters at times). Contains explicit sexual content.
Part of me enjoyed this story with the strange attitude that Toraan had as well as her determination to protect her heart, but there were many things that made me just want to shake her until she wised up. Running away constantly is not a solution and she seriously showed a total disregard for her own life at times which contracts her determination to be free of the situation her parents put her in. Easy to read and understand (even if I didn't agree with the characters at times). Contains explicit sexual content.
January 8, 2021
Another wonderful story I loved reading. This story is about Rachael who runs away from the marriage that was set up by her parents to the Imperial Admiral who is a very old man that Rachael finds repugnant. When the Vandar horde attack the Zagrath fleet, Rachael steals a transport ship from the hanger only to be seen by Raas Toraan. Toraan commands to capture the transport that their sensors says it contains a human women, Toraan wonders why she's fleeing and when he sees Rachael the first time he's taken by her beauty. Rachael surrenders and asks for asylum. Rachael tells Toraan, she's fleeing from the Admiral and she has important information, Toraan warns her not to betray him. What occurs between them as they navigate their relationship was another very enjoyable, engaging story in this series that I volunteer to read and review via Booksprout. The characters in this story are totally likable along with steamy romance and action in this Alien Romance. This series is a delightful and wonderful read and I look forward to the next story in this series. ARC.
January 8, 2021
I have to say that Tana Stone is my all time favorite author! Each time a new book of hers comes out I think she couldn't have made it any better than the last book, but boy am I wrong every time. Pillaged is my new very favorite book, I LOVED reading Torann and Rachael's story. I'm also very much Loving these Vandar Warlords. This is Rachael's, the runaway Empire bride and Torann the third Vandar brother. Rachael's parents have have arranged for her to marry a wrinkled old Zalgrath Admiral so she runs away during an attack by a Vandar Horde and very quickly gets captured by Torann. She surrenders and offers to give him Zalgrath intelligence she has over heard. Tana does an amazing job with the story building and the descriptions that you feel you are right there with the characters. It's a well written story with lots of action, suspense, drama, adventure, hot romance and a very hot alpha Vandar male, you won't be disappointed it's a wonderful book and I really can't wait until the next story. IT"S A MUST READ SERIES!
I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 19, 2021
Climactic
Rachel's parents arranged a marriage to an Admiral in the Zagrath army who just happens to be very old, very bald and very wrinkly. Thanks to her perfect memory she escaped off the ship while they were in the midst of a battle with a Vandar horde.
Raas Toraan is cloaked right outside of the battle his brother are fighting. As he prepares to assist them he notices a transport ship that appears to be sneaking away from the lead Zagrath battle ship and decides to follow it then transports it to his own ship.
When Toraan and Rachel meet they both want something. She wants to protection against having to return to the admiral and hr wants revenge on the Zagrath. So they end up striking a deal to become mates as a strategic move. But things don't quite work out the way they plan.
I really enjoy reading this author's work and plan to read more as soon as another book comes out.
Even though this story wasn't quite as intense as the previous books, the snippet at the end that leads us to the next book is very climactic.
Rachel's parents arranged a marriage to an Admiral in the Zagrath army who just happens to be very old, very bald and very wrinkly. Thanks to her perfect memory she escaped off the ship while they were in the midst of a battle with a Vandar horde.
Raas Toraan is cloaked right outside of the battle his brother are fighting. As he prepares to assist them he notices a transport ship that appears to be sneaking away from the lead Zagrath battle ship and decides to follow it then transports it to his own ship.
When Toraan and Rachel meet they both want something. She wants to protection against having to return to the admiral and hr wants revenge on the Zagrath. So they end up striking a deal to become mates as a strategic move. But things don't quite work out the way they plan.
I really enjoy reading this author's work and plan to read more as soon as another book comes out.
Even though this story wasn't quite as intense as the previous books, the snippet at the end that leads us to the next book is very climactic.
July 6, 2021
3.5
Pros:
Plot- the story continues to develop with Vandar and Zagrath. Good action scenes and dialogue as well.
Easy reading- for the most part, it doesn’t have much errors and author really has world development skills.
Character development. Rachael is indecisive and stubborn. Toraan is patient and thoughtful.
Con:
Rachael starts out as a girl that has a valuable talent but it’s not really utilized with her relationship with Toraan. We get to know Toraan well but the two don’t really interact enough for me to believe the formed a love for each other. Kratos uses Astrids ability to read people, Kalaak interacts with Taras ability to fight and strategize. I don’t see this with Toraan and Rachael ability to memorize which is a really valuable trait for a Raas.
I couldn’t put the book down because the plot was spectacular but I just couldn’t believe the love between the two MCs….
Pros:
Plot- the story continues to develop with Vandar and Zagrath. Good action scenes and dialogue as well.
Easy reading- for the most part, it doesn’t have much errors and author really has world development skills.
Character development. Rachael is indecisive and stubborn. Toraan is patient and thoughtful.
Con:
Rachael starts out as a girl that has a valuable talent but it’s not really utilized with her relationship with Toraan. We get to know Toraan well but the two don’t really interact enough for me to believe the formed a love for each other. Kratos uses Astrids ability to read people, Kalaak interacts with Taras ability to fight and strategize. I don’t see this with Toraan and Rachael ability to memorize which is a really valuable trait for a Raas.
I couldn’t put the book down because the plot was spectacular but I just couldn’t believe the love between the two MCs….
November 14, 2021
I liked this one. I have to say, it wasn't some masterpiece. I was very predictable and not everyone likes that. I don't, usually... but with this series, even though you know they will get mating marks, it is still interesting to see how, and where the story will go.
When I write reviews if something bothers me or I am not a fan of something or have something to say about the story in general I will review as I go. Usually when that happens it is because something in the story took me out of it and I have a complaint. I didn't experience that at all with this book. I was into it the whole time and really liked the characters. I like that Toraan was a little softer and not like his brothers. He was more mindful and calculating. I also like that Rachael wasn't some docile pushover.
A good read when you need something to escape in that doesn't force you to think or use much mind power.
When I write reviews if something bothers me or I am not a fan of something or have something to say about the story in general I will review as I go. Usually when that happens it is because something in the story took me out of it and I have a complaint. I didn't experience that at all with this book. I was into it the whole time and really liked the characters. I like that Toraan was a little softer and not like his brothers. He was more mindful and calculating. I also like that Rachael wasn't some docile pushover.
A good read when you need something to escape in that doesn't force you to think or use much mind power.
January 11, 2021
Thrilling, breathtaking, exhilarating, exciting, wonderful, all consuming, wonderful, - and all the other descriptive adjectives that are out there to describe this story - i.e. try to ... This story is just delicious to read. It has a fantastic storyline and WOW the characters. Sassy female who is also incredibly bright and has photogenic memory - just WOW - and the Vandar Raas - well they are all quite delicious in the descriptive way the author uses. The plots, the villains - IF there were ten stars for extra great and fun stories - well - this one would get twelve ... - so five fantastic stars are the limit for this great story as there are no more stars to give out. We might want to create a galaxy of stars for such stories like this one. Loved it - and loved it some more... and...
April 12, 2021
Toraan may not have grown up with his brothers or been under his father's tutelage but he is all Warlord- he just more of the strategist than the blunt instrument!
Rachael refuses to marry the horrid old goat that her social-climbing parents arranged for her. She manages to sneak off and stow away on the first available ship. But is fleeing on a Vandar ship any safer than facing a loveless marriage?
I loved the fact that both the leads had had heartbreak in their life - Toraan when his almost mate chose another and when Rachael's hope of a HEA with someone of her choosing was taken away from her. Neither really want to have a HEA with each other, so of course they have to be pulled together!
Lots of familiar faces pop up and thankfully the hideous almost-Groom gets a suitable comeuppance. Roll on book 4!
Rachael refuses to marry the horrid old goat that her social-climbing parents arranged for her. She manages to sneak off and stow away on the first available ship. But is fleeing on a Vandar ship any safer than facing a loveless marriage?
I loved the fact that both the leads had had heartbreak in their life - Toraan when his almost mate chose another and when Rachael's hope of a HEA with someone of her choosing was taken away from her. Neither really want to have a HEA with each other, so of course they have to be pulled together!
Lots of familiar faces pop up and thankfully the hideous almost-Groom gets a suitable comeuppance. Roll on book 4!
May 11, 2021
Finally! A hero who is not a dick in this series. I couldn't finish the first book with the cheating hero and naive / unbelievable heroine. I almost quit the second book due to another unlikable hero and a crew that seemed okay with forcing women into sex / taking them as "war prizes". However, in the end the hero redeemed himself so I decided to give this book a chance. Luckily this hero was more likable. Rachael was a little naive and innocent but she was no pushover so I respected her. I still have a hard time with the pleasure planets but I tell myself it's an alien culture and not to take it too seriously. I would actually like to know more about the pleasure planets. Are the women forced to do it? The leader of the pleasure ship seemed to enjoy her job but is she truly forced? I don't like the idea of them having sex with women who are forced into sexual slavery
January 12, 2022
There was some other woman drama in this book.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
LE
R
S......It's a fated mates book so I don't like there being any other woman drama. She was a former girlfriend of the hero. She cheated on him and took another mate while he was away raiding. She never got mating marks.
She told the heroine since heroine didn't have mating marks, that girlfriend was really his fated mark.
So the idiotic heroine steals a spaceship and runs away (because ok, somehow that happened) and gets captured by the Admiral who wanted to marry her. So the hero follows her and rescues her and his horde kills all of the bad guys.
Of course, heroine gets her mate marks while on camera with the good guys so they could see bad guy torture her. So everyone knew she was his fated mate after that.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
LE
R
S......It's a fated mates book so I don't like there being any other woman drama. She was a former girlfriend of the hero. She cheated on him and took another mate while he was away raiding. She never got mating marks.
She told the heroine since heroine didn't have mating marks, that girlfriend was really his fated mark.
So the idiotic heroine steals a spaceship and runs away (because ok, somehow that happened) and gets captured by the Admiral who wanted to marry her. So the hero follows her and rescues her and his horde kills all of the bad guys.
Of course, heroine gets her mate marks while on camera with the good guys so they could see bad guy torture her. So everyone knew she was his fated mate after that.
August 5, 2022
Score: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Her family gave her away to be married to an old undesirable admiral. To escape her fate, Rachel decides to runaway while they were busy fighting the Vandar. What she wasn’t expecting was for her stolen ship to be taken by another Vandar horde.
Characters:
Rachel comes from a very closed off planet, where her family has never thought her anything apart from etiquette. Despise her situation growing up she is strong and fights the destiny forced upon her.
Toraan is different from the rest of the Raas we have encountered so far in the series. From day one he didn’t mind taking Rachel as a mate, although his motives are… interesting.
Overall Thoughts:
I’m not really a fan of the miscommunication trope. Both Toraan and Rachel realized their feelings for each other from day one but were too afraid to say something.
Synopsis:
Her family gave her away to be married to an old undesirable admiral. To escape her fate, Rachel decides to runaway while they were busy fighting the Vandar. What she wasn’t expecting was for her stolen ship to be taken by another Vandar horde.
Characters:
Rachel comes from a very closed off planet, where her family has never thought her anything apart from etiquette. Despise her situation growing up she is strong and fights the destiny forced upon her.
Toraan is different from the rest of the Raas we have encountered so far in the series. From day one he didn’t mind taking Rachel as a mate, although his motives are… interesting.
Overall Thoughts:
I’m not really a fan of the miscommunication trope. Both Toraan and Rachel realized their feelings for each other from day one but were too afraid to say something.
March 31, 2024
4.5 Stars
Pillaged is the third book in the fantastic Raider Warlords of the Vandar series by Tana Stone.
Raider Warlords of Vandar Series by Tana Stone is another fantastic sci-fi romance series – with an ‘abduction and seduction’ theme that runs through the collection.
With Alien Warlords, resistance fighters, space battles, action, adventure, captives, war, alpha males, tension, intrigue, emotion, drama, and danger- while the vivid world-building made this series all the more enjoyable.
Each book could be read as a standalone, but there is a ‘bigger picture’ being painted in the background, therefore, I really recommend reading the entire series (in sequence) so you don’t miss any of the important interconnected details, which will elevate you whole reading experience.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Stone…
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Tana Stone!
Pillaged is the third book in the fantastic Raider Warlords of the Vandar series by Tana Stone.
Raider Warlords of Vandar Series by Tana Stone is another fantastic sci-fi romance series – with an ‘abduction and seduction’ theme that runs through the collection.
With Alien Warlords, resistance fighters, space battles, action, adventure, captives, war, alpha males, tension, intrigue, emotion, drama, and danger- while the vivid world-building made this series all the more enjoyable.
Each book could be read as a standalone, but there is a ‘bigger picture’ being painted in the background, therefore, I really recommend reading the entire series (in sequence) so you don’t miss any of the important interconnected details, which will elevate you whole reading experience.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Stone…
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Tana Stone!
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