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The Darvel Exploratory Systems #2
Serpents of the Abyss
Being a citizen on United Earth doesn’t guarantee a life one wants. For Lori Straford, born into the lowest caste of citizens—the pleasure arts strata of their society—it is an inescapable fate which she can only hope to better by enlisting as a spa attendant and masseuse on one of the luxury world colonies under the purview of Darvel Exploration Corporation. When she is talked into working on one of their mining planets for a year with the promise of a hefty bonus and to be transferred to her choice planet after more non-gratas can be sent over, it is too good of an opportunity to pass up. It will be tiring work but as long as she plays everything by the book then she will have everything she has ever dreamed of.
Until everything goes wrong.
Strange predators on the loose around the colony stationed on an inhospitable world is bad enough, but when a mining accident leaves Lori buried deep within the mines, she is vulnerable to the very real dangers that surround her in a hidden world. Her will to live is challenged and her ambitions tested when a monster of the depths takes her to be his and makes her question everything that she thought she knew and wanted.
Slengral is a hunter, an unmated male forced to live a solo existence in the cave systems of the Algatha, separate from the female-ruled civilization of the shinara, he refused to submit to the females of his species as a breeding partner, unwilling to settle for less than a mate. When a wingless and tail-less alien female enters his territory, he doesn’t hesitate to lay claim on her. He cannot protect her himself, however. Enlisting two rejected solitary males, Daskh and Kehtal, to aid in her care, they must learn to live a life different than they have ever known and risk losing it all when the human colony takes back the female that means more to them than life itself.
Warning this book has graphic sex and violence that may not be suitable for all readers. Although this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it is part one of a duet (this dealing with the conflict with the human colony while the second book, Serpents of the Night, releasing later this year deals with the shinara).
Until everything goes wrong.
Strange predators on the loose around the colony stationed on an inhospitable world is bad enough, but when a mining accident leaves Lori buried deep within the mines, she is vulnerable to the very real dangers that surround her in a hidden world. Her will to live is challenged and her ambitions tested when a monster of the depths takes her to be his and makes her question everything that she thought she knew and wanted.
Slengral is a hunter, an unmated male forced to live a solo existence in the cave systems of the Algatha, separate from the female-ruled civilization of the shinara, he refused to submit to the females of his species as a breeding partner, unwilling to settle for less than a mate. When a wingless and tail-less alien female enters his territory, he doesn’t hesitate to lay claim on her. He cannot protect her himself, however. Enlisting two rejected solitary males, Daskh and Kehtal, to aid in her care, they must learn to live a life different than they have ever known and risk losing it all when the human colony takes back the female that means more to them than life itself.
Warning this book has graphic sex and violence that may not be suitable for all readers. Although this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it is part one of a duet (this dealing with the conflict with the human colony while the second book, Serpents of the Night, releasing later this year deals with the shinara).
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2021
253 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sanders
86 books1,007 followersS.J. Sanders is a mom of two toddlers and one adult living in Anchorage, Alaska. She has a BA degree in History, but spends most of her free time painting, sculpting, doing odd bits of historical research, and writing. While she has more research orientated writing under another pen name, her passion is sci-fi and paranormal romance of which she is an avid reader. After years of tinkering with the idea, and making her own stories up in her head, S.J has began to seriously pursue writing as an author of Sci-fi Romance utilizing her interests in how cultures diversify and what they would look like on a extraterrestrial platform to humans interacting with them and finding love.
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
September 19, 2021
1 star for the unexpected, blackmailed polyamorous/reverse harem romance in the end <3
see, i love reverse harem romance but not when the hero spends the majority of the book pursuing a monogamy relationship with the heroine. not when he was basically blackmailed into entering a polyamorous relationship with her. not when the heroine started being friendly** with the other two men even when she was still in a monogamous relationship.
i was confused when the book switched to the other men’s pov multiple times but in hindsight i guess i should have known.
and i never liked heroine anyway. all she did was complain. she never did know how to read the room. she sounded like a privileged lady being forced to live among the poor. at one point she even complained about the food in front of the people working with her which was????? insensitive as fuck.
she complained about being ostracised but… honey if you act all high and mighty in front of others… well. /shrugs
see, i love reverse harem romance but not when the hero spends the majority of the book pursuing a monogamy relationship with the heroine. not when he was basically blackmailed into entering a polyamorous relationship with her. not when the heroine started being friendly** with the other two men even when she was still in a monogamous relationship.
i was confused when the book switched to the other men’s pov multiple times but in hindsight i guess i should have known.
and i never liked heroine anyway. all she did was complain. she never did know how to read the room. she sounded like a privileged lady being forced to live among the poor. at one point she even complained about the food in front of the people working with her which was????? insensitive as fuck.
she complained about being ostracised but… honey if you act all high and mighty in front of others… well. /shrugs
December 6, 2021
Nothing salvageable.
December 29, 2021
I need /just/ a tad bit more substance to my erotica than this, but still enjoyable.
Reread of the edited edition:
Wow, this was a solid expansion upon the original concept. There were some errors in the writing, several words were missing along the way. Other than that, the story was changed from mindless monster smut to actual plot, and I was so there for that.
Dislikes: Lori is super ditzy at first. Thankfully she gets better, and in the short version she was much worse so this is a big improvement.
The evil corporation thing is rather cliché but I guess that's both good and bad.
I wanted to see more angst on the other mates' behalves. Unlike the other reviews, I was super stoked when the author started to show the other males' povs and I got what I wanted 😁 but then getting together was too rushed when both made it clear that they were generally undesirable due to size.
Reread of the edited edition:
Wow, this was a solid expansion upon the original concept. There were some errors in the writing, several words were missing along the way. Other than that, the story was changed from mindless monster smut to actual plot, and I was so there for that.
Dislikes: Lori is super ditzy at first. Thankfully she gets better, and in the short version she was much worse so this is a big improvement.
The evil corporation thing is rather cliché but I guess that's both good and bad.
I wanted to see more angst on the other mates' behalves. Unlike the other reviews, I was super stoked when the author started to show the other males' povs and I got what I wanted 😁 but then getting together was too rushed when both made it clear that they were generally undesirable due to size.
January 23, 2023
Overall this was ok, mostly because Sanders writing is always pretty good.
What Iiked:
1. The mmc's were super sweet (all three of them)
What I didn't love:
1. The company's manipulation (didn't really make sense)
2. The MFC was weak
3. I hate when books go from monogamous to poly, it gives off cheating vibes and makes me really anxious.
4. The world was a little too similar to Jeanette Lynn's "What dwells" book. Like ... Really similar.
5. And finally, the beginning was really slow
What Iiked:
1. The mmc's were super sweet (all three of them)
What I didn't love:
1. The company's manipulation (didn't really make sense)
2. The MFC was weak
3. I hate when books go from monogamous to poly, it gives off cheating vibes and makes me really anxious.
4. The world was a little too similar to Jeanette Lynn's "What dwells" book. Like ... Really similar.
5. And finally, the beginning was really slow
August 9, 2024
DNF @ 60% cause she’s so annoying. ˙◠˙ all she did was complain complain complain. She’s was giving spoiled little rich girl suddenly has to slum it out.
Also wow surprise poly so LATE in the book? This was not it.
Also wow surprise poly so LATE in the book? This was not it.
December 7, 2019
Due to its brevity, the synopsis for this book is the perfect non-spoilery description of it. What you see there is exactly what you're getting.
The male alien is truly alien and unique. S.J. always comes up with the best alien/monster attributes. This one has an especially odd...member...that deviates from what the sort of "established" one is for snake-like species.
Other than more typos than usual, I really enjoyed this one. This series so far has yielded excellent short erotic monster reads, and I look forward to seeing what the next one will bring us.
The male alien is truly alien and unique. S.J. always comes up with the best alien/monster attributes. This one has an especially odd...member...that deviates from what the sort of "established" one is for snake-like species.
Other than more typos than usual, I really enjoyed this one. This series so far has yielded excellent short erotic monster reads, and I look forward to seeing what the next one will bring us.
December 10, 2019
Serpent
S. J. Sanders is an excellent writer and one of the few who can tell a story in 45 pages that makes you feel as if you read a novel.
S. J. Sanders is an excellent writer and one of the few who can tell a story in 45 pages that makes you feel as if you read a novel.
December 28, 2022
Firstly, the world building was great! There was actually a whole alien society and history created in the story. There’s also a second book coming out at some point that may delve into the female side of the serpent underground world even further.
The romance was definitely sacrificed for the scifi side of the plot however…. There was two s3x scenes with Lori’s mate(s) total and some minor playfulness/petting. The smuttiness doesn’t even get going till really about half way through.
So, will I be reading the next in the series? Likely not… I wanted to read an alien romance and this was lacking in the “love” department.
The romance was definitely sacrificed for the scifi side of the plot however…. There was two s3x scenes with Lori’s mate(s) total and some minor playfulness/petting. The smuttiness doesn’t even get going till really about half way through.
So, will I be reading the next in the series? Likely not… I wanted to read an alien romance and this was lacking in the “love” department.
September 19, 2021
It’s sometimes a trip through the “dark” fantastic when reading a new S.J. Sanders book and Serpents of the Abyss was one such read.
The story slowly lures you in like the sweet docile music notes of a child’s Jack in the box just before Jack springs forth to scare the heck out of you!
Lori Straford who has been assigned to the mines of M285 by her company The Darvel Exploration Corporation plans on having a nice little nest egg with the monetary offering they made and she only has to serve for one year, that’s all she has to get through, right? There are secrets in that underground cave system that will soon be revealed and change the course of her life, the hunter Slengral being one!
This is a great Sci-Fi Romance with a narrative that flows smooth as glass, world building as imaginative as it gets and characters that engage the reader at every turn of the page. Add a steamy romance that evolves between two very different species and you have an action driven, dramatic series of events that left this reader anxious for the next book in this HFN story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story slowly lures you in like the sweet docile music notes of a child’s Jack in the box just before Jack springs forth to scare the heck out of you!
Lori Straford who has been assigned to the mines of M285 by her company The Darvel Exploration Corporation plans on having a nice little nest egg with the monetary offering they made and she only has to serve for one year, that’s all she has to get through, right? There are secrets in that underground cave system that will soon be revealed and change the course of her life, the hunter Slengral being one!
This is a great Sci-Fi Romance with a narrative that flows smooth as glass, world building as imaginative as it gets and characters that engage the reader at every turn of the page. Add a steamy romance that evolves between two very different species and you have an action driven, dramatic series of events that left this reader anxious for the next book in this HFN story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 17, 2021
Serpent's below the mine
I love these books thinking outside the box and the realisation that women being treated with compassion and respect are able to transcend the outer and accept the inner being.
I love these books thinking outside the box and the realisation that women being treated with compassion and respect are able to transcend the outer and accept the inner being.
October 23, 2021
Hot
I enjoyed this story. I thought the survival part was intriguing and I couldn’t put the book down. I also liked how she stood her ground and made them see her as a strong female instead of weak as she felt.
I enjoyed this story. I thought the survival part was intriguing and I couldn’t put the book down. I also liked how she stood her ground and made them see her as a strong female instead of weak as she felt.
February 12, 2022
Love a space snek
Great adventure book with a really complex and interesting world building. The dynamics of the alien society is really well explored and the Darvel corp is exposed as being just as wicked as we all know.
Great adventure book with a really complex and interesting world building. The dynamics of the alien society is really well explored and the Darvel corp is exposed as being just as wicked as we all know.
July 13, 2020
5 stars another great book!
September 22, 2021
Awesome!!!
This was so good!! Something different but so good! Wish I could have this kind of imagination and write even a millionth as good
This was so good!! Something different but so good! Wish I could have this kind of imagination and write even a millionth as good
October 28, 2021
3/5 stars!
Sex with a serpent who has a vibrating set of heads down there, you say? Their meet-cute happened way too quickly than what I wanted & the epilogue didn't really satisfied my romance-loving heart.
Sex with a serpent who has a vibrating set of heads down there, you say? Their meet-cute happened way too quickly than what I wanted & the epilogue didn't really satisfied my romance-loving heart.
September 20, 2021
The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with no typos that I found and entertaining authorial voice. The world building was incredibly vivid, with the environment, flora, and fauna of the underground world coming to life. The physiology, instincts and culture of these serpent like alien heroes were also vividly described.The characterization was good, with the heroine being deeply sympathetic and the three heroes being distinct individuals. The development of the romantic relationship was sweet and spicy, with a heat level of five chili peppers. The plot was exciting and cohesive, which made the pacing fly by. This novel had low angst and high stakes throughout, which tends to be one of my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Kidnapped Bride trope and the Stranger in a Strange Land trope. The world building, plot, and pacing were all five stars. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were also five stars. I therefore gave this novel a combined rating of five stars. This novel ended on a Happy Ever After/For Now ending, even though these characters will continue in the next book. I REALLY appreciated the fact that this first book in a duology did not end on a cliffhanger. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy sci-fi romances with excellent world building and exciting plots. I look forward to reading the next book in this series when it releases. I already bought myself a keeper copy of this novel.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 28, 2023
I had read it before unknowing to myself. And i enjoyed rereading it. Cute storyline with enjoyable characters. Will be looking out for book 2.
September 27, 2021
Just captivating!!!
I didn’t really read the blurb because I love SJ Sanders writing style. I loved that Lori wasn’t a strong/hard core heroine. She was just a normal human woman that found love when she wasn’t looking for it. I do wish there was more love scenes with her other two mates, but I’m super excited for a second book. This book is amazing and I loved the character building on all four main characters.
*Quick note: This book has multiple love interest!! With that said I understand that it is not everyone’s thing, so unlike me read the blurb so you know what your getting!! I would like to point out that this is a great book to start with regarding multiple love interest/matings! It is done very tastefully for those new or don’t think they are interested and not done so heavily as in other books I have read.
Excellent book and I highly recommend.
I didn’t really read the blurb because I love SJ Sanders writing style. I loved that Lori wasn’t a strong/hard core heroine. She was just a normal human woman that found love when she wasn’t looking for it. I do wish there was more love scenes with her other two mates, but I’m super excited for a second book. This book is amazing and I loved the character building on all four main characters.
*Quick note: This book has multiple love interest!! With that said I understand that it is not everyone’s thing, so unlike me read the blurb so you know what your getting!! I would like to point out that this is a great book to start with regarding multiple love interest/matings! It is done very tastefully for those new or don’t think they are interested and not done so heavily as in other books I have read.
Excellent book and I highly recommend.
January 1, 2022
When her place of work closes down. Lori has to find something else but she is only given one option. This planet was nothing like she had seen before. She and other have to work in a cave that gives her the creeps. When there is an accident and the cave caves in Lori falls down the shaft. We meet Slengral and Lori doesn't know what will happen to her. Slengral has to ask for help from Kehtal and Daskh which is not easy for there kind. The females of the serpents are taking notice of some the male's not being around and they are not happy. Lori's people have been wanting to capture the serpents for a while and the have plans.
February 15, 2022
Overall I liked the book. The poly felt a little forced into the plot line/ not as well developed, but it is what it is.
What disappointed me was that this is not a sequel. It is a stand-alone with no connection to the first book other than same planet.
I was looking forward to seeing some of the other characters from book 1 find mates. I don’t even know when this book takes place in relation to the first book (before, during) given that the mining colonies were destroyed in the first book. Also, how does their destruction affect the serpent species from this book? Left with more questions than answers.
What disappointed me was that this is not a sequel. It is a stand-alone with no connection to the first book other than same planet.
I was looking forward to seeing some of the other characters from book 1 find mates. I don’t even know when this book takes place in relation to the first book (before, during) given that the mining colonies were destroyed in the first book. Also, how does their destruction affect the serpent species from this book? Left with more questions than answers.
September 12, 2021
An RH like no other
Typically the ones I have read either had the males together as a unit beforehand or one male found the FMC and another wanted her, etc.
This was a refreshing take on what can be an irritatingly repetitive trope. The flow between the four felt natural as well as how it progressed. I am eagerly looking forward to a sequel, and would love to see more of Vi and her stalker as our four main characters from this book have reached their HEA
4.5/5 - would recommend
Typically the ones I have read either had the males together as a unit beforehand or one male found the FMC and another wanted her, etc.
This was a refreshing take on what can be an irritatingly repetitive trope. The flow between the four felt natural as well as how it progressed. I am eagerly looking forward to a sequel, and would love to see more of Vi and her stalker as our four main characters from this book have reached their HEA
4.5/5 - would recommend
May 14, 2025
There was a lot of telling & not a lot of showing, with days literally being summarized in a paragraph.
On top of that, I was getting weird vibes between Daskh & Lori only to learn that what I thought was a monogamous romance story was a reverse harem. I didn’t pay attention to the details listed, & that’s on me, but the cover is misleading. And I wouldn’t have minded if the dynamics weren’t so off-putting. It just felt deceitful & forced from Slengral’s perspective & made me dislike Lori & his supposed friends. So yeah, I’m good. DNF.
On top of that, I was getting weird vibes between Daskh & Lori only to learn that what I thought was a monogamous romance story was a reverse harem. I didn’t pay attention to the details listed, & that’s on me, but the cover is misleading. And I wouldn’t have minded if the dynamics weren’t so off-putting. It just felt deceitful & forced from Slengral’s perspective & made me dislike Lori & his supposed friends. So yeah, I’m good. DNF.
September 11, 2021
So good
There are very few authors who can create believable worlds that you slide into as you read the book. The otherworldly characters become real with relatable personalities. You can see so well in your mind that you could almost reach out and touch them.
She creates a complete mythos that you will want to become entangled in, and can't wait for the next story.
SJ Sanders is someone I would love to sit around a campfire with and listen to her weave worlds around me.
There are very few authors who can create believable worlds that you slide into as you read the book. The otherworldly characters become real with relatable personalities. You can see so well in your mind that you could almost reach out and touch them.
She creates a complete mythos that you will want to become entangled in, and can't wait for the next story.
SJ Sanders is someone I would love to sit around a campfire with and listen to her weave worlds around me.
September 22, 2021
The second book in the Darvel Exploratory Systems series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Lori Straford gets sent to a mining planet for a year she is saved by a alien Seshanamitesh called Slengral and his two friends Daskh and Kehtal, I enjoyed seeing their story come together so far. I want to read the next part of their story. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 18, 2021
Mostly skimmed this novel
It was okay but pacing was a bit slow and characters were a bit boring - if you read a lot of this genre the plot was pretty cookie cutter regarding who the villain was etc.
Honestly this reminds me of the ensnared books in regards to the males character and their society
Lots of consent featured however between out heroine and her three “men”
Will not read the next one
It was okay but pacing was a bit slow and characters were a bit boring - if you read a lot of this genre the plot was pretty cookie cutter regarding who the villain was etc.
Honestly this reminds me of the ensnared books in regards to the males character and their society
Lots of consent featured however between out heroine and her three “men”
Will not read the next one
June 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this novel!
The characters were really interesting, and the monsters more so. I was sad to not see all the characters join in their reverse harem earlier in the story.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Kehtal in that he was so resistant to the relationship. Such a curious and friendly character should have been more interested in pushing boundaries.
The world building was equally compelling and had me wanting to explore.
The characters were really interesting, and the monsters more so. I was sad to not see all the characters join in their reverse harem earlier in the story.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Kehtal in that he was so resistant to the relationship. Such a curious and friendly character should have been more interested in pushing boundaries.
The world building was equally compelling and had me wanting to explore.
December 24, 2021
serpents of the abyss
Great story! Yes it’s an alien romance and not the add a few scales to a human looking man kind. It has wonderful characters and world building. You will like these individuals. There isn’t unneeded drama you have to swim through, just sweet individuals falling in love. Lots a room here for spin offs! Can’t wait for more.
Great story! Yes it’s an alien romance and not the add a few scales to a human looking man kind. It has wonderful characters and world building. You will like these individuals. There isn’t unneeded drama you have to swim through, just sweet individuals falling in love. Lots a room here for spin offs! Can’t wait for more.
February 20, 2022
Great sci fi romantic adventure
The worldbuilding is often grim thanks to the evil machinations of some of the people of Earth and Darvel. But these books seem to have hope for a HEA, at least for the colonists and native species. The romance is well-written and believable. There is graphic violence and a body count, as well as graphic sex with non-human beings.
The worldbuilding is often grim thanks to the evil machinations of some of the people of Earth and Darvel. But these books seem to have hope for a HEA, at least for the colonists and native species. The romance is well-written and believable. There is graphic violence and a body count, as well as graphic sex with non-human beings.
June 9, 2022
Way too long
I almost did not finish this book. In fact I jumped quite a few chapters. This was inordinately long for no reason. So much explanation and events that just kept the story spiralling into boring for me. I read the first 25 chapters and the last 4. Good enough!
I almost did not finish this book. In fact I jumped quite a few chapters. This was inordinately long for no reason. So much explanation and events that just kept the story spiralling into boring for me. I read the first 25 chapters and the last 4. Good enough!
February 5, 2023
Another solid story in the shithole that is the Darvel Exploratory Systems! Like the first book in the series, this one is just all around a great, enjoyable read and the plot/worldbuilding was the best part for me. The sex scenes were eh, okay, save for the very last one that I actually enjoyed the most.
Can I also talk about the cover for a second? What a cutie, Lol. After scrolling through SJ Sanders' works, I realized she tends to have these covers where, if the female character lead is on it, they're front and center and facing the camera. They're not swooning into the arms of the men, they're not mooning over the dudes, and they're not unrealistic bodies. In this one, Lori's pose is more possessive and dominant of Slengral than the other way around despite him being larger than her. She looks confident. She has normal human thighs. She's fully dressed. Like hot damn, this is a really cool cover and I enjoy it a lot!
Our lead female character, Lori, is not exactly cut out for the harsh mining work of this world but has her own sort of determination and tenacity. She's led a fairly privileged life up until now and it shows as she's faced with a harsh reality and forced to see how the other half lives.
I saw other reviews complained that she was weak and I was a little surprised. She's not physically strong and she struggles with her circumstances but I felt it was realistic and not unduly putting the character in a position of seeming weak for the plot, to be "saved", etc. I normally have a very strong aversion to that kind of writing and have DNF'd books with weakling female characters so I'm assuming there must be something about SJ Sanders' writing that doesn't give me that vibe, personally. Maybe it's because I could identify with her a little? I'm been through circumstances where I was far outside of my comfort zone, being physically, mentally, and emotionally pushed past my limits, and very seriously struggled. There's more to it here with the layers of privilege and whatnot but maybe that helps?
To some degree, our male characters weren't as well developed as Lori, but I felt we get a decent enough overall to build a foundation of character for them and give them a unique sense of character between them. I failed to see the reverse harem tag so I was a little surprised when it developed but I didn't mind it at all.
I saw some folks felt it was "cheaty" but I never really felt like it did. Another thing that would normally bother the shit out of me if I felt like it was there but it didn't bother me at all. There were certainly some boundaries being pushed by Daskh but I felt like Lori didn't really cheat? To some extent, it was a cultural thing that she was only half-aware of and I felt it was clear that their situation was unique and things were on the cusp of a big change from the traditional ways things are done. The fact that Slengral invited Daskh and Kehtal into his nest with his mate at all was already such a big difference from the norm that the time they spent with Lori didn't feel like cheating - it just felt like a slow progression/evolution towards the inevitable, changed future.
There was a lot packed into this book story wise and a lot of it is addressed or tidied up by the end, but not quite everything. That didn't bother me either! Enough was addressed that I was satisfied where it left off but also intrigued to know more. The author mentions a planned sequel at the end so we'll see!
Can I also talk about the cover for a second? What a cutie, Lol. After scrolling through SJ Sanders' works, I realized she tends to have these covers where, if the female character lead is on it, they're front and center and facing the camera. They're not swooning into the arms of the men, they're not mooning over the dudes, and they're not unrealistic bodies. In this one, Lori's pose is more possessive and dominant of Slengral than the other way around despite him being larger than her. She looks confident. She has normal human thighs. She's fully dressed. Like hot damn, this is a really cool cover and I enjoy it a lot!
Our lead female character, Lori, is not exactly cut out for the harsh mining work of this world but has her own sort of determination and tenacity. She's led a fairly privileged life up until now and it shows as she's faced with a harsh reality and forced to see how the other half lives.
I saw other reviews complained that she was weak and I was a little surprised. She's not physically strong and she struggles with her circumstances but I felt it was realistic and not unduly putting the character in a position of seeming weak for the plot, to be "saved", etc. I normally have a very strong aversion to that kind of writing and have DNF'd books with weakling female characters so I'm assuming there must be something about SJ Sanders' writing that doesn't give me that vibe, personally. Maybe it's because I could identify with her a little? I'm been through circumstances where I was far outside of my comfort zone, being physically, mentally, and emotionally pushed past my limits, and very seriously struggled. There's more to it here with the layers of privilege and whatnot but maybe that helps?
To some degree, our male characters weren't as well developed as Lori, but I felt we get a decent enough overall to build a foundation of character for them and give them a unique sense of character between them. I failed to see the reverse harem tag so I was a little surprised when it developed but I didn't mind it at all.
I saw some folks felt it was "cheaty" but I never really felt like it did. Another thing that would normally bother the shit out of me if I felt like it was there but it didn't bother me at all. There were certainly some boundaries being pushed by Daskh but I felt like Lori didn't really cheat? To some extent, it was a cultural thing that she was only half-aware of and I felt it was clear that their situation was unique and things were on the cusp of a big change from the traditional ways things are done. The fact that Slengral invited Daskh and Kehtal into his nest with his mate at all was already such a big difference from the norm that the time they spent with Lori didn't feel like cheating - it just felt like a slow progression/evolution towards the inevitable, changed future.
There was a lot packed into this book story wise and a lot of it is addressed or tidied up by the end, but not quite everything. That didn't bother me either! Enough was addressed that I was satisfied where it left off but also intrigued to know more. The author mentions a planned sequel at the end so we'll see!
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