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Xian Warriors #7
Reaper
She survived against the odds…
Janelle’s life is defined by a crumbling, underground research base. Imprisoned for twenty years after the base was bombed, she and the few Creckel survivors are running out of time as the last of their resources are depleted. With no hope for rescue, Janelle and her companions wait for the dreaded Reaper to finish what the bombs missed.
Half-human, half-Kryptid, Reaper is part of the Vanguard—an elite peacekeeping force determined to help the survivors left behind by war. New intel leads him to a remote research base where he discovers Creckel survivors—and a lone human woman, the first to awaken his dormant mating glands.
Janelle’s life hasn’t prepared her for the breathtakingly stunning, genetically engineered warrior. His words, filled with impossible promises, make her believe there is a happy place for her somewhere in the world—with him by her side. But is that world too vast? Too strange? Too terrifying… like the shady people that populate it?
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NOTE: This is the extended version (20,000 more words) of the story that was originally released in Pets in Space 5.
Janelle’s life is defined by a crumbling, underground research base. Imprisoned for twenty years after the base was bombed, she and the few Creckel survivors are running out of time as the last of their resources are depleted. With no hope for rescue, Janelle and her companions wait for the dreaded Reaper to finish what the bombs missed.
Half-human, half-Kryptid, Reaper is part of the Vanguard—an elite peacekeeping force determined to help the survivors left behind by war. New intel leads him to a remote research base where he discovers Creckel survivors—and a lone human woman, the first to awaken his dormant mating glands.
Janelle’s life hasn’t prepared her for the breathtakingly stunning, genetically engineered warrior. His words, filled with impossible promises, make her believe there is a happy place for her somewhere in the world—with him by her side. But is that world too vast? Too strange? Too terrifying… like the shady people that populate it?
-----------------
NOTE: This is the extended version (20,000 more words) of the story that was originally released in Pets in Space 5.
238 pages, ebook
First published February 28, 2021
180 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Regine Abel
75 books2,660 followersUSA Today bestselling author Regine Abel is a fantasy, paranormal, and sci-fi junkie. Anything with a bit of magic, a touch of the unusual, and a lot of romance will have her jumping for joy. She loves writing hot alien warriors meeting no-nonsense, kick-ass heroines. Her novels are steamy, action-packed, and with the twists and turns you never saw coming.
Before devoting herself as a full-time writer, Regine had surrendered to her other passions: music and video games! After a decade working as a Sound Engineer in movie dubbing and live concerts, Regine became a professional Game Designer and Creative Director, a career that has led her from her home in Canada to the US and various countries in Europe and Asia.
Before devoting herself as a full-time writer, Regine had surrendered to her other passions: music and video games! After a decade working as a Sound Engineer in movie dubbing and live concerts, Regine became a professional Game Designer and Creative Director, a career that has led her from her home in Canada to the US and various countries in Europe and Asia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
June 14, 2021
4.5 stars.
It can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend you read book #1 too, so you can understand about the species that the heroine try so hard to save.
It’s the fallout after the mad general’s experiments ended.
By the end of the previous book, that hero read the villain’s minds and found he was doing lots of nasty and horrible experiments in any species that he thought could helped him win the wars.
The Xian Warriors try to check each of them and see if they can save some of the victims.
The blurb tell you many things about this book.
Very interesting reading too, less action to be expected and is a slow burn romance 😍
So, a bit different but in a good way 😘.
And I love this heroine too, despite her condition, she is a strong, intelligent and a very kind girl and I love how sweet Reaper is towards her 😘.
❤️❤️❤️
It can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend you read book #1 too, so you can understand about the species that the heroine try so hard to save.
It’s the fallout after the mad general’s experiments ended.
By the end of the previous book, that hero read the villain’s minds and found he was doing lots of nasty and horrible experiments in any species that he thought could helped him win the wars.
The Xian Warriors try to check each of them and see if they can save some of the victims.
The blurb tell you many things about this book.
Very interesting reading too, less action to be expected and is a slow burn romance 😍
So, a bit different but in a good way 😘.
And I love this heroine too, despite her condition, she is a strong, intelligent and a very kind girl and I love how sweet Reaper is towards her 😘.
❤️❤️❤️
August 21, 2023
☆ 3.5 ☆ Esperé un poco más de acción, no voy a negarlo, pero al ser el libro justo después de la "gran guerra final" pues fue realista que no hubiera un gran obstáculo aunque se quisiese. Así es la cuando estás en guerra; algunas terminarán siendo más emocionantes, difíciles, tristes o aburridas que otras.
Reklig fue un personaje que supo destacar y robó otro trocito más de mi corazón. Te queremos Reklig, te queremos ♡
Y ni hablemos de Stran, Brees y todos los Crekels ¡Les lloro! Desde el primer libro, donde se conoció a Stran, solo deseé puras cosas buenas para él. No saben lo feliz que me hizo, luego de tantos libros de esta saga, por fin ver a Stran tan feliz, realizado, como si todo lo que hizo y esperó por fin valió la pena 🤧🖤
Reklig fue un personaje que supo destacar y robó otro trocito más de mi corazón. Te queremos Reklig, te queremos ♡
Y ni hablemos de Stran, Brees y todos los Crekels ¡Les lloro! Desde el primer libro, donde se conoció a Stran, solo deseé puras cosas buenas para él. No saben lo feliz que me hizo, luego de tantos libros de esta saga, por fin ver a Stran tan feliz, realizado, como si todo lo que hizo y esperó por fin valió la pena 🤧🖤
March 13, 2021
If you like science fiction romance between human women and aliens who look alien, Xian Warriors is the series to read. It's very well done, and Reaper is a great addition. The world-building is fantastic and believable and the characters are engaging. I love the Creckels! Finding the drawings of the characters at the end of the book was a fun surprise. One more thing: Reaper is book seven, but it's definitely a standalone read. You don't have to have read the others in the series.
March 3, 2021
So so sweet
I’ve got to say...this book elicited tears of happiness from me on my lunch break today. No spoilers, but there is a VERY touching scene with Stran that is sure to pull at your heartstrings.
Another scene that tugged on my emotions was with the membrane, but you must read it to know more. The author did a wonderful job expressing Janelle’s mixed feelings in that particular scene.
All in all, a wonderful read!
I’ve got to say...this book elicited tears of happiness from me on my lunch break today. No spoilers, but there is a VERY touching scene with Stran that is sure to pull at your heartstrings.
Another scene that tugged on my emotions was with the membrane, but you must read it to know more. The author did a wonderful job expressing Janelle’s mixed feelings in that particular scene.
All in all, a wonderful read!
July 24, 2021
Quick(ish) Review - Xian Warrior series (spoilery, you've been warned)
Book-specific
Reaper: Janelle and Reaper’s story delves in the aftermath of the war with Khutu, and gives a resolution to the Creckels, the kind of cute but very deadly pangolin-like deadly race of aliens. The ‘verse is ever expanding and still the best thing about this series but I’ll say the romances have improved as the series progresses. Janelle’s personal journey, in particular, has tragic beginnings but this still manages to give a sweet HEA when all is said and done.
Overview of series: I have mixed feelings on this series, but it's the worldbuilding that keeps me coming back. It's an interesting concept, a race of warrior hybrids, made up of Kryptid(giant bug)/dragon/human whose souls can be transferred to Shells, so they can face incredibly dangerous battles, die and still come back in a new Shell. So much of the way the heroines interact with them is due to their psychic powers, which manifest differently depending on their ethnic backgrounds (Caucasian women are Vessels, Black/Brown women are Portals and Asian women are Shields). It's a touchy subject, to break down their powers based on race, but by the same token, I'm not upset at exploring a world where differences are acknowledged and celebrated rather than trying to homogenize everyone's experience. If nothing else, I find it a unique way to look at this 'verse and to build this big conflict of good vs evil with Kryptid General Khutu, the Big Bad of the series, who's hell bent on galaxy domination, of course.
When it comes to the romance, that's where the biggest issues I have with the series comes into play. One of the foundations of this 'verse is the heroes know immediately if the heroine is their soulmate. Now, I can get down with insta-love on occasion, but I want that to be the beginning, not the end all-be all of their stories. Too many go straight to forever love, and I'd rather watch them work for it. But I'll go more into that below.
This is a very hetero-specific series, which I find limiting, and there's moments when the sex scenes happen that aren't as sexy as intended (feeling any kind of fire/burning during sex isn't my bag, but hey YMMV).
So in closing, I'm kind of middle of the road on the beginning of this series but I’ve enjoyed it more and more with each book.
Book-specific
Reaper: Janelle and Reaper’s story delves in the aftermath of the war with Khutu, and gives a resolution to the Creckels, the kind of cute but very deadly pangolin-like deadly race of aliens. The ‘verse is ever expanding and still the best thing about this series but I’ll say the romances have improved as the series progresses. Janelle’s personal journey, in particular, has tragic beginnings but this still manages to give a sweet HEA when all is said and done.
Overview of series: I have mixed feelings on this series, but it's the worldbuilding that keeps me coming back. It's an interesting concept, a race of warrior hybrids, made up of Kryptid(giant bug)/dragon/human whose souls can be transferred to Shells, so they can face incredibly dangerous battles, die and still come back in a new Shell. So much of the way the heroines interact with them is due to their psychic powers, which manifest differently depending on their ethnic backgrounds (Caucasian women are Vessels, Black/Brown women are Portals and Asian women are Shields). It's a touchy subject, to break down their powers based on race, but by the same token, I'm not upset at exploring a world where differences are acknowledged and celebrated rather than trying to homogenize everyone's experience. If nothing else, I find it a unique way to look at this 'verse and to build this big conflict of good vs evil with Kryptid General Khutu, the Big Bad of the series, who's hell bent on galaxy domination, of course.
When it comes to the romance, that's where the biggest issues I have with the series comes into play. One of the foundations of this 'verse is the heroes know immediately if the heroine is their soulmate. Now, I can get down with insta-love on occasion, but I want that to be the beginning, not the end all-be all of their stories. Too many go straight to forever love, and I'd rather watch them work for it. But I'll go more into that below.
This is a very hetero-specific series, which I find limiting, and there's moments when the sex scenes happen that aren't as sexy as intended (feeling any kind of fire/burning during sex isn't my bag, but hey YMMV).
So in closing, I'm kind of middle of the road on the beginning of this series but I’ve enjoyed it more and more with each book.
March 3, 2021
Great Addition!
Loved this next book in this series. A new adventure, a world visited long ago, and meeting a new species! It was great to get a story from one of Bane's brothers. A woman trapped after a building collapsed needing rescue and the Xian and Dragon Warriors to the rescue. It was great seeinb Doom again. Lots of action, mystery, and steam!❤❤ Loved it!
Loved this next book in this series. A new adventure, a world visited long ago, and meeting a new species! It was great to get a story from one of Bane's brothers. A woman trapped after a building collapsed needing rescue and the Xian and Dragon Warriors to the rescue. It was great seeinb Doom again. Lots of action, mystery, and steam!❤❤ Loved it!
February 13, 2024
❤️ Un volume un po’ diverso, che si svolge interamente su un pianeta alieno! Mi è piaciuto tanto la storia dei Creckel, e di come Stran abbia ritrovato la sua famiglia dopo quasi 30 anni! Sono così affezionata a questi personaggi che mi sono emozionata!
June 3, 2023
Super lindo jajajajjaa. Estos libros son un lugar seguro para estar, con mucha trama de por medio y salseo.
😊
😊
March 3, 2021
*I read the original short in the Pets in Space anthology. This is an updated review for the updated version of the story.
I really enjoy this series! I liked that this book is part of the series but it's after the main plot so it wasn't so serious. I liked the hero and heroine and I wish we had more little sweet, less drama filled books in this series. (Don't get me wrong, I really love the series. I just like the slowed down story here. Almost like a breather between bad things. It's refreshing.)
Reaper goes with a team to check out an assumed abandoned experiment site of the Kryptid. When he gets there, there's a woman trapped underground with a lot of Creckel's. What makes her even more special, she's his mate.
Janelle has been trapped in her parents lab most of her life. Since her parents died, she's only had the Creckel's for company. As such, she has learned more about them, how they communicate and their interactions than she knows about humans. When she meets the warriors, she is grateful they're there to save her. There are a few bumps since she doesn't really know how to interact with people well but with Reaper there to help her, everything works out in the end.
I liked the additional storyline Abel added in this extended story. It sets up the world for another series arc that would be a lot of fun to explore. I'd love to learn more about the Dragons, Xian and all the other alien's Abel's introduced in this series.
I really enjoy this series! I liked that this book is part of the series but it's after the main plot so it wasn't so serious. I liked the hero and heroine and I wish we had more little sweet, less drama filled books in this series. (Don't get me wrong, I really love the series. I just like the slowed down story here. Almost like a breather between bad things. It's refreshing.)
Reaper goes with a team to check out an assumed abandoned experiment site of the Kryptid. When he gets there, there's a woman trapped underground with a lot of Creckel's. What makes her even more special, she's his mate.
Janelle has been trapped in her parents lab most of her life. Since her parents died, she's only had the Creckel's for company. As such, she has learned more about them, how they communicate and their interactions than she knows about humans. When she meets the warriors, she is grateful they're there to save her. There are a few bumps since she doesn't really know how to interact with people well but with Reaper there to help her, everything works out in the end.
I liked the additional storyline Abel added in this extended story. It sets up the world for another series arc that would be a lot of fun to explore. I'd love to learn more about the Dragons, Xian and all the other alien's Abel's introduced in this series.
October 13, 2024
During the war, the Kryptid had captured human scientists working to enhance the Creckels into controlled war beasts, but the experiment didn't work and the General sealed the underground lab leaving Janelle, child of deceased scientists, and the surviving Creckels entombed for over twenty years. Right when hope is at an end of rescue, it comes in the form of half Cryptid Dragon warrior, Reaper, and his Vanguard brothers. Can she trust in Reaper and will his people be able to help the rescued Creckel race?
A survival story with many emotional layers. Janelle has been isolated and dying in an underground lab so she is relearning and learning much which puts the fated mates romance on slow burn. I enjoyed watching Reaper, a strong warrior, is vulnerable about whether she can get past his looking like the enemy who killed her parents and some of the Creckels and left her to suffer and die. Janelle is facing so many choices for her future and secretly hopes the strong and capable Reaper would be interested in an undernourished half-blind woman with little talent. Surrounding their romance is the story of the enhanced Creckels figuring out their future, too.
I really enjoy this series and need to go back and finish the backlist.
A survival story with many emotional layers. Janelle has been isolated and dying in an underground lab so she is relearning and learning much which puts the fated mates romance on slow burn. I enjoyed watching Reaper, a strong warrior, is vulnerable about whether she can get past his looking like the enemy who killed her parents and some of the Creckels and left her to suffer and die. Janelle is facing so many choices for her future and secretly hopes the strong and capable Reaper would be interested in an undernourished half-blind woman with little talent. Surrounding their romance is the story of the enhanced Creckels figuring out their future, too.
I really enjoy this series and need to go back and finish the backlist.
March 1, 2021
A thrilling, heart-warming, emotion-filled adventure!
This wonderful story tugged at my heartstrings many times throughout. I am thrilled to see Reaper finally find his one and only. He certainly deserves it, and Janelle is a great match for him. What incredible strength Janelle has, to have survived for so long in such increasingly difficult circumstances! Janelle is refreshingly forthright in her dealings with others - she hasn’t learned how to dissemble. She has a wealth of knowledge about Creckels after so many years in their company.
I love seeing more of the Creckels, learning what makes them tick. They also get some happy endings in this story. It is an amazing read - I highly recommend!
This wonderful story tugged at my heartstrings many times throughout. I am thrilled to see Reaper finally find his one and only. He certainly deserves it, and Janelle is a great match for him. What incredible strength Janelle has, to have survived for so long in such increasingly difficult circumstances! Janelle is refreshingly forthright in her dealings with others - she hasn’t learned how to dissemble. She has a wealth of knowledge about Creckels after so many years in their company.
I love seeing more of the Creckels, learning what makes them tick. They also get some happy endings in this story. It is an amazing read - I highly recommend!
March 1, 2021
I'm a huge fan of Regine Abel's Xian Warriors Series! Well, we finally get Reaper's story here! And it is outstanding! We find Janelle stuck in an underground research facility that used to belong to General Khutu. Brees is Janelle’s Creckel in this story and she's a modified Creckel like Stran, the war beast, from Doom. You will come to absolutely love Brees and her clan in this book. When Reaper and his team arrive on the abandoned base they think it's vacant. Little does he know he'll discover his mate barely clinging to life. This book brought out my emotions - it made me cry a couple times which is hard to do. Don't miss this story! 5 stars
March 2, 2021
An absolutely remarkable read !!! Love this world !!
What an amazing read !!!
I had 1st read this story in Pets in Space#4 ( I think it was #4 ) a little while ago, but this story was sooo much more !!
More sexy, More intriguing, and MORE adventures !! I felt sad for Janelle and her companions, and Happy that Reaper and the Vangard showed up when they did .
My heart was pumping, and I absolutely freaking Loved reading about how everything continually moves forward, and no matter how hard the journey, a happily ever after is a truly wonderful thing that not all get .......
Lots of action and adventure make this girl a Fan !!! 😄😄😄
What an amazing read !!!
I had 1st read this story in Pets in Space#4 ( I think it was #4 ) a little while ago, but this story was sooo much more !!
More sexy, More intriguing, and MORE adventures !! I felt sad for Janelle and her companions, and Happy that Reaper and the Vangard showed up when they did .
My heart was pumping, and I absolutely freaking Loved reading about how everything continually moves forward, and no matter how hard the journey, a happily ever after is a truly wonderful thing that not all get .......
Lots of action and adventure make this girl a Fan !!! 😄😄😄
March 1, 2021
Love coming back to this universe this author has created for this Xian’s warriors. Now It’s Reaper turn and like always love every moment of this story you get all the action,all the love this characters bring and you get to see how Reaper and Janelle find their happy ending with all the chaos round them. This is an amazing series I just can’t get enough of them and I hope there is more to come.
March 2, 2021
Intense
I liked seeing more of the dragon pangolin type creatures get rescued along with their human caretaker. This book gives a really sweet HEA to Reaper, one of the Kryptid dragon hybrids. It also sets up the conflict for future books set in this universe now that the Kryptid general is gone. Overall it was a good story and I can't wait to read more! Hopefully Reaper's brother with the baby face gets a mate soon!
I liked seeing more of the dragon pangolin type creatures get rescued along with their human caretaker. This book gives a really sweet HEA to Reaper, one of the Kryptid dragon hybrids. It also sets up the conflict for future books set in this universe now that the Kryptid general is gone. Overall it was a good story and I can't wait to read more! Hopefully Reaper's brother with the baby face gets a mate soon!
March 3, 2021
Love
Beautifully written. The Story was amazing from start to finish. Very emotional. I cried. The plot of the story gets better an better. I hope to keep reading more. The characters an the whole story fascinates me.
Beautifully written. The Story was amazing from start to finish. Very emotional. I cried. The plot of the story gets better an better. I hope to keep reading more. The characters an the whole story fascinates me.
April 10, 2024
Si no fuera por las escenas sexuales innecesarias sería un 5⭐
Al fin un poco más de Stran, y ame a Bree
Al fin un poco más de Stran, y ame a Bree
March 2, 2021
Heartwarming
Great read and well played out! Loved that this story had a hea and teased at more to come. Thanks!
Great read and well played out! Loved that this story had a hea and teased at more to come. Thanks!
August 2, 2022
DNF @ 78%
The beginning of this story was fan-tastic. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. But… after , I mentally started twiddling my thumbs. A lot.
The writing and writing style are good, Janelle and Reaper are nice characters, the Creckels are cute, and everything is just… fine, I suppose. Moving on and things are still just… fine. Janelle and Reaper are sweet and nice together, and there’s some more “stuff” going on around them, and everyone likes Janelle, and then there’s the two of them again, being real sweet and nice together, and OMG. Somebody please kill me.
Look, I’m sorry, but I’m at 78% and there’s been no relationship conflicts, no real external conflicts, no sexual tension/chemistry, and one extremely brief and lackluster oral sex scene. Why am I here, and what is going on? Reaper is a sexy-as-all-get-out reptile/dragon badass, and Janelle is a resilient survivor who has spent 20 years in the company of nothing but pangolin-like creatures, and she’s just been rescued by her badass, sexy soulmate/lifemate. So why are they so bland and boring together? Why!? *cries*
Not gonna lie, I’m also very salty about the lack of smut, and felt like that oral sex scene was the author just throwing me a bone for hanging in there so damn long. (An old, crusty, dried-out bone). You know, if an author doesn’t want to include smut in their story, that’s fine, but don’t tease and blue-ball the readers into thinking it’s coming, when it’s actually not.
Who knows… maybe there’s some sexy-times in the last 22%. But if that’s the case, then for the love of fuck, give us a slow, steady build-up of sexual tension and off-the-charts chemistry to latch onto, and then when it finally happens it’ll be amazing and thrilling and well-worth the wait.
Fuck… I’m so salty right now, especially since I loved the beginning so much. Anyway, 1 star for that amazing beginning, and 1 Star for the Creckels.
The beginning of this story was fan-tastic. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. But… after , I mentally started twiddling my thumbs. A lot.
The writing and writing style are good, Janelle and Reaper are nice characters, the Creckels are cute, and everything is just… fine, I suppose. Moving on and things are still just… fine. Janelle and Reaper are sweet and nice together, and there’s some more “stuff” going on around them, and everyone likes Janelle, and then there’s the two of them again, being real sweet and nice together, and OMG. Somebody please kill me.
Look, I’m sorry, but I’m at 78% and there’s been no relationship conflicts, no real external conflicts, no sexual tension/chemistry, and one extremely brief and lackluster oral sex scene. Why am I here, and what is going on? Reaper is a sexy-as-all-get-out reptile/dragon badass, and Janelle is a resilient survivor who has spent 20 years in the company of nothing but pangolin-like creatures, and she’s just been rescued by her badass, sexy soulmate/lifemate. So why are they so bland and boring together? Why!? *cries*
Not gonna lie, I’m also very salty about the lack of smut, and felt like that oral sex scene was the author just throwing me a bone for hanging in there so damn long. (An old, crusty, dried-out bone). You know, if an author doesn’t want to include smut in their story, that’s fine, but don’t tease and blue-ball the readers into thinking it’s coming, when it’s actually not.
Who knows… maybe there’s some sexy-times in the last 22%. But if that’s the case, then for the love of fuck, give us a slow, steady build-up of sexual tension and off-the-charts chemistry to latch onto, and then when it finally happens it’ll be amazing and thrilling and well-worth the wait.
Fuck… I’m so salty right now, especially since I loved the beginning so much. Anyway, 1 star for that amazing beginning, and 1 Star for the Creckels.
May 18, 2022
Why the hell was this perfect
--
Reread: I still love it!
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Reread: I still love it!
February 22, 2025
Lo ame, es tan bonito y dulce
April 8, 2022
Worth the read, perhaps I should have read the whole series though…oops
Sum: Janelles parents were sanctioned to an underground bunker, to experiment on “dragon” like creatures, called Creckles, enhancing them for military purposes. When a struggle breaks out, her father is killed, and 11 year old Janelle is gone after by a Kryptid, a bug like bi-ped soldier. The enhanced Creckles attack them for her safety, so they cut off the only exit and bomb the compound. Locking Janelle, her mother and the Creckles inside. Unfortunately the bomb made her mother very sick, and caused Janelle to go almost blind. For the next 20 years she is entombed underground. With her mother dying just months after the bomb, the Creckles took over raising her, but with 20 years gone, food, water, plants and any type of life is crumbling. Reaper, part of the Vanguard, is sent out to scout these “abandoned” locations, and is shocked to find Janelle and party, especially when his mating glands swell at just the scent of her…unfortunately their first meeting ends rather…sharply …but can these two beat the odds and many differences surrounding them, or were they simply…made for each other?
Iykyk…. Lol
So I really, really loved this book! I do wish I could have read the beginning, I usually just find the books that speak to me in a series that can be read as a stand-alone, but is not recommended. Sometimes it works out for me, but this time it didn’t.
That aside, things were re-explained well enough that I didn’t feel like I was missing too much, so it worked out.
I think my only two complaints, were that the cover art and her actual description didn’t meet up at all . Like not. At. All. Unless I seriously missed something. Not a huge thing, but it helps if we were already given an image and then the author tells us more in words, but to switch them up? She has golden hair instead of white, and no temples for her seeing things …plus more.
Secondly, was I get she was kind of smart, and her parents taught her a lot before dying (of their work and some medical stuff), but her language and social cues were lacking, (obviously though), but then she just knows sex? I get it, she watched dragons do it enough to get the gist, but we were all virgins once…she just jumped head first, while being scared of still interacting with people….idk, personal I guess.
Overall? 4.8
Plot? 4.5
Spice? 3
Cheating? No
CharDev? 3
HEA? Yeah
Fave Char? Stran lol for reasons, well and B
Series? Yes
Tropes? alien, trapped, mates
Triggers? No
Sum: Janelles parents were sanctioned to an underground bunker, to experiment on “dragon” like creatures, called Creckles, enhancing them for military purposes. When a struggle breaks out, her father is killed, and 11 year old Janelle is gone after by a Kryptid, a bug like bi-ped soldier. The enhanced Creckles attack them for her safety, so they cut off the only exit and bomb the compound. Locking Janelle, her mother and the Creckles inside. Unfortunately the bomb made her mother very sick, and caused Janelle to go almost blind. For the next 20 years she is entombed underground. With her mother dying just months after the bomb, the Creckles took over raising her, but with 20 years gone, food, water, plants and any type of life is crumbling. Reaper, part of the Vanguard, is sent out to scout these “abandoned” locations, and is shocked to find Janelle and party, especially when his mating glands swell at just the scent of her…unfortunately their first meeting ends rather…sharply …but can these two beat the odds and many differences surrounding them, or were they simply…made for each other?
Iykyk…. Lol
So I really, really loved this book! I do wish I could have read the beginning, I usually just find the books that speak to me in a series that can be read as a stand-alone, but is not recommended. Sometimes it works out for me, but this time it didn’t.
That aside, things were re-explained well enough that I didn’t feel like I was missing too much, so it worked out.
I think my only two complaints, were that the cover art and her actual description didn’t meet up at all . Like not. At. All. Unless I seriously missed something. Not a huge thing, but it helps if we were already given an image and then the author tells us more in words, but to switch them up? She has golden hair instead of white, and no temples for her seeing things …plus more.
Secondly, was I get she was kind of smart, and her parents taught her a lot before dying (of their work and some medical stuff), but her language and social cues were lacking, (obviously though), but then she just knows sex? I get it, she watched dragons do it enough to get the gist, but we were all virgins once…she just jumped head first, while being scared of still interacting with people….idk, personal I guess.
Overall? 4.8
Plot? 4.5
Spice? 3
Cheating? No
CharDev? 3
HEA? Yeah
Fave Char? Stran lol for reasons, well and B
Series? Yes
Tropes? alien, trapped, mates
Triggers? No
September 27, 2023
Questa storia ha deciso di far piangere i lettori: abbiamo Janelle, una donna sopravvissuta in una base abbandonata con gli ultimi esemplari di creckel rapiti da Khutu, praticamente sepolti vivi visto che poi i guerrieri xian e compagni devono perforare la base segreta per potervi accedere. Il modo in cui questa donna, malaticcia e privata di luce, cibo e acqua è straordinario. Reaper, visto che questa è la sua storia si innamora di lei e qui inizia il suo essere una crocerossina per la cara Janelle che ha un comportamento infantile per certi versi (che ammetto mi ha un tantino infastidita). I crekel che vengono liberati e riuniti a quello di Doom sono la cosa più dolce che ci sia, senza contare che tra quelli ibernati ci sono anche la compagna e il figlio di Stran. Visto che Khutu è caput appare una nave della coalizione in aiuto non richiesto, e suddetta nave contiene due membri che sono atterrati appositamente per rubare dati e oggetti della tecnologia kryptide, vengono scoperti ma uno dei due scappa mentre l'altro muore. Nel frattempo Reaper e Janelle sono sempre più legati e una volta sul pianeta xian loro e i crekel che non sono voluti restare al pianeta natale, danno il via a un nuovo tipo di addestramento.
Il nemico per cui è cambiato, e con una base del genere la storia in generale potrebbe dilungarsi di moltissime altre storie di amore e combattimento visto anche che riuscire a scoprire chi sta eseguendo i furti senza lasciare grandi tracce è piuttosto difficile, senza contare che vai a trovarli tutti i traditori ... in generale l'ho trovato carino e si sono aggiunte nuove evoluzioni ed elementi alla storia base, anche se ad essere sincera un pochino sottotono rispetto ai volumi precedenti.
Il nemico per cui è cambiato, e con una base del genere la storia in generale potrebbe dilungarsi di moltissime altre storie di amore e combattimento visto anche che riuscire a scoprire chi sta eseguendo i furti senza lasciare grandi tracce è piuttosto difficile, senza contare che vai a trovarli tutti i traditori ... in generale l'ho trovato carino e si sono aggiunte nuove evoluzioni ed elementi alla storia base, anche se ad essere sincera un pochino sottotono rispetto ai volumi precedenti.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2021
I read this story originally in the PIS anthology and loooooved it. Janelle and Reaper worked for me on a lot of different levels and I've enjoyed all the stories set in the Xian Warriors world. What did I like even more? The added tidbits that have me wondering if we're going to see more with these warriors and their chosen women. Because THINGS HAPPENED that opened up a lot of potential doors for the future and I am here for it!
But first...Janelle and Reaper. She's been alone and trapped in a bombed out research base for the past 20 years and things are looking pretty dire for her and her comrades. He's on a mission to find potential survivors and research in the old Kryptid bases, but he's not expecting much given how much time has passed sine this particular base was abandoned.
Imagine both their surprise when they meet and feel an instant connection.
Not that things are quite that simple. Janelle is weak and near death when she's rescued. Reaper's determined to take things slow to give her time to heal. Throw in an unexpected find in the bowels of the facility and some shady happenings from others and the entire crew has a lot on their plate.
Like I said, though, those shady happenings open a door that kind of has me giddy (future missions? I'm there!) and a throw away line for a certain Gen 1 Warrior has me holding out hope that he's going to get his HEA eventually. *crosses fingers*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But first...Janelle and Reaper. She's been alone and trapped in a bombed out research base for the past 20 years and things are looking pretty dire for her and her comrades. He's on a mission to find potential survivors and research in the old Kryptid bases, but he's not expecting much given how much time has passed sine this particular base was abandoned.
Imagine both their surprise when they meet and feel an instant connection.
Not that things are quite that simple. Janelle is weak and near death when she's rescued. Reaper's determined to take things slow to give her time to heal. Throw in an unexpected find in the bowels of the facility and some shady happenings from others and the entire crew has a lot on their plate.
Like I said, though, those shady happenings open a door that kind of has me giddy (future missions? I'm there!) and a throw away line for a certain Gen 1 Warrior has me holding out hope that he's going to get his HEA eventually. *crosses fingers*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
March 4, 2021
I first read this book in the Pets in Space 5 anthology and it was brilliant there. The author has since expanded it to re-release it in this form. I’ve read the other books in the series that this story is a companion to. I believe it stands alone but I’m probably not the best assessor.
I loved this story. I’d been waiting for the male lead’s (Reaper) story for a while now and was thrilled with it. I enjoyed the female lead – the strength she demonstrated contrasted against her self-esteem issues – and the cultural differences that the characters had to negotiate. The story was originally low conflict, just a beautiful tale of how a relationship can develop, with a secondary animal character second chance romance in the background that is heartfelt and tear-jerking. It now includes some extra parts, including some conflict with secondary characters that will give the author scope to continue with the series. I admit I’m a bit ambivalent about it.
The story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a beautiful romance for the main characters. I received an advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.
I loved this story. I’d been waiting for the male lead’s (Reaper) story for a while now and was thrilled with it. I enjoyed the female lead – the strength she demonstrated contrasted against her self-esteem issues – and the cultural differences that the characters had to negotiate. The story was originally low conflict, just a beautiful tale of how a relationship can develop, with a secondary animal character second chance romance in the background that is heartfelt and tear-jerking. It now includes some extra parts, including some conflict with secondary characters that will give the author scope to continue with the series. I admit I’m a bit ambivalent about it.
The story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a beautiful romance for the main characters. I received an advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.
March 9, 2021
Yay Xian warriors are back💖💖💖
So so good! New friends and old friends make book 7 of the series a pure pleasure to read. Janelle , was the daughter of scientists who were studying the Creckels when the Kryptids kidnapped them and fixed them to genetically modify them for war. The the horrible but like aliens refused to see was that the Creckel would not bow, or submit to their tormentors. When they fought back both of Janelle's parents died the aging her alone with the Creckels buried inside the lab. Almost 3 decades later Reaper and the other Xian warriors uncover the lab and that's and he sees Janelle and knows she's his soul mate. Together the rescue the Creckels and uncover a new nefarious plot that I'm sure will bring more danger and adventure for future novels. This story is so beautiful. Love and acceptance found and old love reunited ! Although Janelle and Reaper are an amazing pair from the beginning bing it's Stran and the Creckels that steal the show and warm the heart. Highly recommend ! I missed these characters and this world. I hope there are more in the future. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
So so good! New friends and old friends make book 7 of the series a pure pleasure to read. Janelle , was the daughter of scientists who were studying the Creckels when the Kryptids kidnapped them and fixed them to genetically modify them for war. The the horrible but like aliens refused to see was that the Creckel would not bow, or submit to their tormentors. When they fought back both of Janelle's parents died the aging her alone with the Creckels buried inside the lab. Almost 3 decades later Reaper and the other Xian warriors uncover the lab and that's and he sees Janelle and knows she's his soul mate. Together the rescue the Creckels and uncover a new nefarious plot that I'm sure will bring more danger and adventure for future novels. This story is so beautiful. Love and acceptance found and old love reunited ! Although Janelle and Reaper are an amazing pair from the beginning bing it's Stran and the Creckels that steal the show and warm the heart. Highly recommend ! I missed these characters and this world. I hope there are more in the future. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
April 25, 2021
Survival of the fittest
Reaper the Gomenzi dragon/human/Kryptid hybrid warrior is free at last. The war is over, the Kryptids are defeated, he has his siblings, his brothers in arms, respect and a wide open future. He does not have a mate. When his unit is dispatched to an abandoned Kryptid installation they expect to find ruins, abandoned equipment, tech, and research files. They are stunned to find survivors. Barely alive after 20 years in the underground wreckage, Janelle is pulled from the brink of death by Reaper’s team. Reaper, against all odds, recognizes his mate. Now, if he can help coax her back to life and health, heal her wounds, correct her vision, and learn to communicate with her... oh, and get her and her beloved Creckels safely off the planet and settled on a new world.... The challenges are many, varied, and carry life-changing consequences. The growing love between Janelle and Reaper must overcome all of there is to be a future for them both. I enjoyed the ups and downs of this story. The characters were well-written and their emotions felt real. Regine Abel’s Xian Warrior series continues as interesting as ever.
Reaper the Gomenzi dragon/human/Kryptid hybrid warrior is free at last. The war is over, the Kryptids are defeated, he has his siblings, his brothers in arms, respect and a wide open future. He does not have a mate. When his unit is dispatched to an abandoned Kryptid installation they expect to find ruins, abandoned equipment, tech, and research files. They are stunned to find survivors. Barely alive after 20 years in the underground wreckage, Janelle is pulled from the brink of death by Reaper’s team. Reaper, against all odds, recognizes his mate. Now, if he can help coax her back to life and health, heal her wounds, correct her vision, and learn to communicate with her... oh, and get her and her beloved Creckels safely off the planet and settled on a new world.... The challenges are many, varied, and carry life-changing consequences. The growing love between Janelle and Reaper must overcome all of there is to be a future for them both. I enjoyed the ups and downs of this story. The characters were well-written and their emotions felt real. Regine Abel’s Xian Warrior series continues as interesting as ever.
May 25, 2021
👽 “Forever and ever. You are my Sun.”
~~~
Oh, those Dragons… How can you not love them?!
Reaper is absolutely amazing. He’s strong, honorable, protective, patient and tender.
Janelle is such an incredibly strong character to have survived unimaginable difficulties. She’s so smart, resourceful, blunt and doing her best despite her situation. Her knowledge about the Creckels is impressive and she doesn’t hesitate to go after what she wants.
I loved their relationship - both of them are sympathetic, supportive and caring. Their romance is very sweet and steamy. They are just perfect for each other and, after everything they’ve been through, more than deserve their HEA.
I loved reading the interactions between the members of the Vanguard rescue team, too. They’re such a great family.
I really liked the Creckels. They’re an amazing species and I loved the bond between them and Janelle.
Overall, it’s a wonderful story filled with action, suspense, betrayal, hope, strong emotions, great friendships and magnificent characters.
I loved every page of it!
~~~
Oh, those Dragons… How can you not love them?!
Reaper is absolutely amazing. He’s strong, honorable, protective, patient and tender.
Janelle is such an incredibly strong character to have survived unimaginable difficulties. She’s so smart, resourceful, blunt and doing her best despite her situation. Her knowledge about the Creckels is impressive and she doesn’t hesitate to go after what she wants.
I loved their relationship - both of them are sympathetic, supportive and caring. Their romance is very sweet and steamy. They are just perfect for each other and, after everything they’ve been through, more than deserve their HEA.
I loved reading the interactions between the members of the Vanguard rescue team, too. They’re such a great family.
I really liked the Creckels. They’re an amazing species and I loved the bond between them and Janelle.
Overall, it’s a wonderful story filled with action, suspense, betrayal, hope, strong emotions, great friendships and magnificent characters.
I loved every page of it!
December 18, 2021
Originally read as part of a Pets in Space anthology, but this edition has been expanded with new scenes added - I assume to incorporate some plot points that will come up in the next book, but I haven't started that quiet yet.
I liked both Reaper and Janelle the first time I read this, and I still like them here. Janelle is an amazingly resilient woman, surviving being trapped underground for 20 years with only the modified Creckles as companions. Reaper and his crew arrive just in time to save them all, as well as some other treasures lurking in the abandoned base.
The new bits (as best I could tell) involve a Coalition rescue vessel coming to help with the unexpected treasure. The Vanguard team is a bit surprised to have them respond, and Janelle especially doesn't trust them, for good reason as it turns out. I think this splintering in the Coalition forces, now that the war is over, will be the basis of the plot for the next book (and any future books??).
I liked both Reaper and Janelle the first time I read this, and I still like them here. Janelle is an amazingly resilient woman, surviving being trapped underground for 20 years with only the modified Creckles as companions. Reaper and his crew arrive just in time to save them all, as well as some other treasures lurking in the abandoned base.
The new bits (as best I could tell) involve a Coalition rescue vessel coming to help with the unexpected treasure. The Vanguard team is a bit surprised to have them respond, and Janelle especially doesn't trust them, for good reason as it turns out. I think this splintering in the Coalition forces, now that the war is over, will be the basis of the plot for the next book (and any future books??).
March 10, 2024
Ahhhh after the war ends the boredom breeds corruption
As with any society that has it too easy, as soon as the war with the Kryptids was over the sneaky people began to plan and scheme to make profit. This story was very interesting. After the war it was discovered there were several hidden labs that each needed to be checked. Not nay for possible survivors but also to gather any information left by General Khufu who created not only a ton of hybrids but also a lot of weapons that should be kept out of bad people’s hands.
On this mission the team is shocked to find a person who survived for three decades with over 100 creatures who are extremely intelligent but thought to be almost extinct. This book held my interest from beginning to the end. This author is awesome. I look forward to the next book in the series.
As with any society that has it too easy, as soon as the war with the Kryptids was over the sneaky people began to plan and scheme to make profit. This story was very interesting. After the war it was discovered there were several hidden labs that each needed to be checked. Not nay for possible survivors but also to gather any information left by General Khufu who created not only a ton of hybrids but also a lot of weapons that should be kept out of bad people’s hands.
On this mission the team is shocked to find a person who survived for three decades with over 100 creatures who are extremely intelligent but thought to be almost extinct. This book held my interest from beginning to the end. This author is awesome. I look forward to the next book in the series.
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