Natalia comes from a past full of darkness and a horrific childhood spent in the Siberian taiga. Her Monsters are real, and they hide in every corner of her memory. Her state of mind, fragility and child-like innocence make both humans and aliens question her sanity. In reality, Natalia is an inspiring young woman who owns her past and fears. Her determination shapes her new alien planet's future, defeats a Sphinx and tames the scariest Monster of all. She may be afraid of her own shadow, but she is not scared to fight for love, even when it comes in the shape of her worst a Monster. Natalia owns her many weaknesses until they become her strengths. She fights darkness with light and unconditional love. As it turns out, those are the only weapons able to win the fight. Natalia's dark past taught her the most important lesson of One is most likely to find their angels when running from Monsters. The Queen of Monsters is the second book in The Tarrassian Saga. It features the inspiring story of one of the five Humans taken from Earth by alien slavers. The five books in the series are individual stories and do not end in cliffhangers. However, the stories are best enjoyed when read in order. The Tarrassian Saga is aimed at a mature audience.
An English literature teacher by trade and bookworm at heart, Aria Mossi lives in rural Suffolk. However, her cosmopolitan ethnic background makes her feel as though she were a citizen of the world, including the alien worlds she is so fond of. Aria grew up with her grandmothers' inspiring stories and inherited their love for books.
The Tarrassian Saga was a long time coming adventure and a journey of self-discovey. Aria's characters are praise to our Humanity. A keen observer of the human nature, Aria noticed the people who survive the most traumatic events are those who put others at the front of their minds. Her books are a reminder of our infinite resilience, our carry on spirit and our passions.
Follow Aria Mossi on other platforms Instagram @aria_mossi Twitter @ariamossi TikTok @aria_mossi
I liked the elements to this book but I feel like I struggled a little bit due to not reading the other book first. It was said it would be a standalone but I personally prefer knowing more about the back story and some of the context before I read books.I think that it would stand well as a stand alone book but that’s just my personal preference.
I liked how the book was written and I liked the struggle between the two love interests. I was hoping for a bit more spice but the spice was written well. My only qualm is that I really didn’t like how often it was referred to that Natalia is ‘tiny’, but that’s my opinion.
I do think I will probably revisit this book later on if I do chose to read the first book in the series, it may change my perspective of the book a bit more.
This book was interesting… however, I am sad to say that I just don’t think it was for me.
I really did not like the main female character, Natalia, and felt her whole persona was very repetitive. The repetition of her tiny height, her young looks, and her giggling felt very childish to me, which made me feel “icky” (that is the best word I can use to describe it). I wanted more from Leo rather than Tannon; I actually really liked Leo’s character and was sad when I figured out we wouldn’t be seeing him again in the last third of the book. I wanted him to have a happy ending, and felt he could’ve given so much more than the MMC. Tannon’s character, again, was slightly repetitive for me, with the constant back-and-forth of “stay away from me, completely, I’m dangerous” to “let me touch you and love you again before I ditch”. I just didn’t really like him, which made it hard to engage with him and his storyline.
I think the plot was interesting, when I could figure it out. This book apparently can be read as a standalone but, like other reviewers, I found I missed so much context and really had to concentrate to understand exactly what was going on. It was interesting though, and I did find myself wanting to continue to find out what would happen overall.
I think this book could be good for a lot of people, and there are some decent spice scenes. Fantasy lovers might enjoy this as there is a lot of lovely background and scenery within the genre, which I did like a lot. It is just unfortunate that it didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally.
A special thank you to the author and BBPR for allowing me an advanced copy of this book, I am very grateful.
The Queen of Monsters is a uniquely written book. There was a ton of character development and I really enjoyed reading about the struggles and growth they both experienced. Both Tannon and Natalia are a little broken inside from past trauma and need love and support. Natalia is a young, almost childish FMC but her personality fits as Tannon’s other half. Even with her human “weakness” she proves to be a strong and resilient character. Tannon fights his mate match so hard and I hate it for them but understand his reluctance. I loved Natalia’s positive outlook and joy for the simple things around her. I also loved Leo and cannot wait for his book and his HEA! I kept expecting a crazy plot twist, and while we got secrets and revelations with the characters, we didn’t see a huge plot twist outside of the characters themselves. I enjoyed that focus during this book. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a monster/alien romance. As always, check for TWs and happy reading!
Okay I really liked this book! I read most of it in 1 day, I could NOT put it down! This was my first monster romance book and it definitely won’t be my last! I will admit it was hard to get into at the beginning, most likely because I have not read the first book in this series. BUT after reading this one, I feel a need to read the first one and of course the next one! This can be read as a stand alone but I feel a cliff hanger and I must read more!
I felt rage and happiness throughout. I really hated Tannon at first but he is really trying to change himself for Lia. I absolutely LOVED Leo and wish we had more of him! My heart hurtsssss.
Lia really pushed through a lot of her fears and showed so much bravery with all the obstacles thrown her way. She is so empowering and it’s very inspiring. She is always caring for others before herself and I really resonate with that. Also I really need a pet like Oliver, he sounds so cute🫶🏼
I think my fav character would have to be Jade or Homma✨
Aria you did such a beautiful job with this book. I loved the world building, character building, the story telling, the plot twist, all of it! It was very different for me and I really enjoyed it!❤️
This is the 2nd book in the 5 book series. The author says we can read each book as a standalone however it would be advised to read then in order.
I started with The Queen of Monsters now I do feel I should of read the first book before this as some lf there terminology wasn't explained and I had to fill in the gaps as I was going as i was unsure what they mean as I ess reading. I also felt I didn't know the background of the King and Queen at frist . I have really enjoyed the dual pov although I will say I was more partial to Tannon side than Natalila this is a very different book and there has been a big focus on characters development throughout . I did love that Natalila was tiny but maybe that because am tiny myself I found I did enjoy her character more as the book went out and how she knows herself.
Unfortunately this book really was not for me. I found the writing very one dimensional and the pacing extremely slow. It can be read as a standalone but I think would work better if you read the others. Natalia was rather irritating. The tiny young looking female thing really gets up my nose and was emphasised a lot as part of the plot. The most engaging character was the sphinx who sadly we don’t get to see for the last 3rd of the book. I was expecting more spice from the description but there are really only one or two scenes. I don’t mind minimal spice but just don’t start this hoping for loads. I think the concept itself could be great and parts really intrigued me. I’d like to have seen some more exploration of some of the other species on Tarrassia. Overall not for me and I won’t be reading any of the others.
I know these are advertised as being able to be read as a standalone however I highly recommend reading Book 1 - The Ice Queen first, it just helps make things feel more complete and fills in some things this book just skims over ☺️
Natalia turned out to be completely different to my original opinion of her which I am sooo pleased about! She definitely proved herself. I spent so much of this book just being so frustrated and saying ‘WTF TANNON’ 🙄 Gosh he annoyed me lots.. that was, until he didn’t 😏😂also I LOVED Leo 😏 I felt so bad for him! Really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading about Gianna next 🥰
I know this can be read as a standalone, however I feel I maybe should have read book 1. Some things may have made a bit more sense if I had.
I loved both Tannon and Leo, I felt so sorry for both of them. I do wish I found out more about what happened to Leo.
I think it ended in a strange way and partly on a cliff hanger..maybe to link into book 3? I'm not sure but I'll find out what I get to reading it 🙂
However, I did love every moment reading this book! Some of the scenes though 🫣🤭
Thank you to both Aria Mossi and BookBabes PR for allowing me to read this. Even though I received this as an ARC, this review is of my own and left voluntarily
Personally, I did not enjoy reading this book. However, that doesn't mean you won't like it either.
I really struggled to connect to the characters and I know it is an interconnected standalone (book 2 of the series) but I generally really struggled with some aspects of the story that just did not make sense as they weren't explained very well in this book. Reading the first book would be beneficial but I image a stand-alone should be able to be read without previously reading the other books...
The planets in this were fascinating. The way whole societies were created was great. I wish the book went further in depth to the way Tarrasian society works. I loved how clever and caring Natalia is towards everyone. Overall it was kinda slow but a pretty good book.
The 2nd book in the Tarrassian saga follows Natalia’s inspiring story of self discovery. After being kidnapped Natalia learns to confront her fears, using them as a strength as she navigates and learns to adapt to life on an alien planet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything from the world building to the characters, the story and the steamy scenes. Every thing about this pulls you in and keeps you reading more and more. It was very addictive. A beautifully written story, I can’t wait for the next installment!
This is my very first monster romance! I’m so very excited to be able to support this wonderful author who is just a genuinely lovely person and lovely presence on my social media pages. This is the second book in the Tarrassian Saga but is said it can be read as a standalone. I do feel however that reading the first would help and aid understanding in reading this book. It took me longer than I first anticipated to get through this book. I think because it is my first monster romance and also still a lot of world building to get through. The main characters were unlike any I had read before and the description in this story was done very well! The descriptions really helped me to visualise the characters and places. I think I would definitely like to read the rest of the series, starting from the beginning.
I just want to say thank you for the wonderful opportunity of reading this ARC 💜
Oh Bohze! was this a read (pun intended). I have to say this is a book I somewhat enjoyed, but didn’t LOVE. If you are a lover of sci fi, smut, and slow burn, this could be the perfect book for you, but it just didn’t hit the spot for me.
Tropes: 🩵Grumpy x Sunshine 🩵Fated mates 🩵Forced Proximity 🩵Age Gap 🩵Magic & Fantasy 🩵Spicy
Overall Thoughts: 3/5 stars 3.5/5 spice When I read the tropes for this book, everything screamed that I should have loved it! I did like it, but I probably would only recommend it to a friend that really enjoys Sci Fi and a good slow burn. Our main character, Natalia, has been captured and taken to a foreign planet away from Earth. The book opens with her escaping this planet in search of going back to Earth or finding somewhere “safer” to dwell. When she ends up on another foreign planet with even more creatures and forced into proximity with her “mate,” we begin to see the story unfold.
*Spoilers Below*
Main Review Points: The Plot. This book felt like it was written in two pieces. With two different main locations, one in the first half of the book and one in the second, the story felt almost disconnected- like it could have been two different books. It is said that this book is a standalone in the series and can be read without reading the first book. However, I found that without reading the first book, there were gaps in knowledge of what was happening. It took me a good while to understand the beginning of the book as I felt I was dropped into a universe that was pre-existing but had no instruction manual.
The Writing Style. I’m not sure if this is a me thing, but I found the characters to be so unrelateble and honestly quite frustrating. The book is mainly written through the thoughts of the characters, shifting viewpoint between Natalia and her alien mate, Tannon. I found there to be an overwhelming number of thoughts that ended in exclamation which overwhelmed me. It felt that, even though Natalia is supposed to be a human, she was speaking in way that I’ve never heard a human address people- almost like a very formal English dialect, semi-robotic, and primitive.
The Characters. I couldn’t find myself connected to either Natalia OR Tannon even though much of the book was written in their thoughts. The thoughts felt repetitive, as if I was reading the same pieces of plot over and over. It felt like much of the book was describing Natalia crying- which I’m all for expressing emotions in writing- but it got overused and made me very unlikely to sympathize with Natalia. Tannon felt like a typical “strong and protective” male. Usually I like this in a MMC, but it felt very 2-Dimensional when applied to his character. Tannon struggled to get past the idea of “hurting” Natlaia, thus creating a slow burn that lasted 75% of the book and seemed to drag on. However, I will say that the relationship between the two main characters evolved over the course of the book, and I can appreciate the intricacies that Moss took in developing their characters to mold to one another.
Power. The theme of power was interesting to me through this read. Tannon finds power in “owning” his mate. Though he vows to treat her well and protect her, this made it feel to me as if she was more of an object. I’m not sure her desires, emotions, needs were addressed throughout the entire book, but rather her looks, and her ability to carry a pregnancy. It seemed that Natalia’s power came from her “standing up to” Tannon. However, I only found this to be the case half the time. She would say that she was going to stand up to him and would be angry with him, only to let this immediately fly out the window for the prospect of proximity and sex. I found this frustrating as I wanted to see more power being held by the strong FMC. I did see power expressed in her cunning abilities- but this felt ore manipulation than it did true strength.
Overall Summary:If you are a lover of sci fi, smut, and slow burn, this could be the perfect book for you, but it just didn’t hit the spot for me. It’s safe to say that alien smut isn’t for everyone, and I know I just didn’t jive with it or the writing style. I wouldn’t shut myself off to reading another book from Aria Moss. I think it’s possible that I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the first book before it. Though this wasn’t a huge win for me, I’m also not disappointed, and I’m glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to read something that was a bit new!
Thank you so much to @BookBabesPR and Aria Moss for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I want to preface my review with stating that this is my first sci-fi/alien romance book I have ever read. I went into this completely blind, and not reading the first in the saga, first. With that being said, even though you could tell previous things had happened, it did not deter me in any way, which usually the case as I get confused. But I will definitely be reading the first, and third book in this saga, and any other books released.
As I started reading this, I was in awe with how eloquent the writing was, and how beautifully written it was. For me, not many books are easy to read, especially with world building, multiple characters to remember and especially in this book where things are different, as it's a completely different world. Which, in itself, is completely breathtaking, the scenery description was captivating to a point where it's so easily imagined within your mind, and the distinctive smells that are written, that it almost feels like you are there. (I wish I lived in the purple forest)
At first, I found the repetive word of 'monsters' a bit much, but as the story unfolded, and the FMC's backstory is explained, upon finishing, it makes complete sense, and without it, I don't think it would work without it.
As or the FMC, Natalia, at first she comes across quite annoying and childlike. Afraid of everything in the world, especially men, but her character development was nothing short of incredible, and again, upon finishing it all makes sense why she is the way she is, but not only that, she took her weaknesses and transformed it into something beautiful, she became braver than most characters I have read in other books, because of this. It is also beautiful that the things she is most afraid of, is what is actually her true strength in the end.
Tarron, the MC at first can be rubbed the wrong way, and I can see why other people were rooting for Leo, Leo is the morally grey attractive as sin character that in the back of your mind, you wanted her to end up with. (My kind of MC, but not for Natalia) But through Tannons actions which later are not only revealed by him, but acknowledged and apologised for, all along I understood him and his actions, and there was no doubt in my mind that he is Lia's one. The most stunning nickname that I have come across. And in the end, through everything that they went through, they became stronger and such a power couple, which makes me so happy that they get their HEA.
My final notes are that this book is nothing short of a 5/5 star book, it is captivating, stunning, beautiful and breathtaking. It is a page turner, and I found myself staying up later to read it because I wanted to carry on reading it. It's that gripping.
What Aria has done with her characters, you can tell has come from a place of diversity that I assume she has first-hand experience with, especially the non-verbal creatures, and how they are explained in the book with finding their own ways to communicate. You can tell this author has put her everything into this masterpiece of a book, and it is nothing short of one of the best books I have ever read. I will recommend this book to everyone I know, and it deserves all the love and praise in the world for her hard work. Just as you can so evidently tell, that all her time love and passion has gone into this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I recently finished reading 'Queen of Monsters' by Aria Mossi and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The book is a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance. The plot twists kept me engaged throughout, and the character development was exceptional.
The protagonist, a young woman named Lirien, is not your typical damsel in distress. She is strong, independent, and fiercely determined to save her people from the evil queen. The world-building is intricate and vivid, and the descriptions of the monsters are both terrifying and fascinating.
What I loved most about the book was the author's writing style. The prose is elegant and poetic, with vivid imagery that makes the story come alive. Aria Mossi has a way of transporting the reader to a different world, and I found myself fully immersed in the story from beginning to end.
Overall, I would highly recommend 'Queen of Monsters' to anyone who loves a good fantasy adventure. It's a beautifully written book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5 and can't wait to read more from this talented author. I recently had the pleasure of reading 'The Queen of Monsters' by Aria Mossi and I was thoroughly impressed. The book is a captivating mix of fantasy, adventure, and romance. The plot is well thought out and the characters are complex and interesting.
The main character, Lirien, is a strong and independent young woman who is determined to save her people from the evil queen. The world-building is rich and detailed, and the descriptions of the monsters are both frightening and fascinating.
What I enjoyed most about the book was Mossi's writing style. The prose is beautiful and poetic, with vivid imagery that brings the story to life. The author's ability to transport the reader to another world is truly remarkable.
Overall, I would highly recommend 'The Queen of Monsters' to anyone who loves a good fantasy adventure. It's a well-written and engaging book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5 and can't wait to read more from Aria Mossi in the future. I recently had the pleasure of reading "The Queen of Monsters" by Aria Mossi, the second book in the Trassian Saga. The book follows the story of Natalia, a young woman with a haunting past full of monsters hiding in every corner of her memory. Despite her fragility and childlike innocence, Natalia is a determined and inspiring character who takes charge of her fears and shapes the future of her new alien planet.
Throughout the book, Natalia's strength is put to the test as she faces a sphinx and tames the scariest monster of all - her own fear. Her courage and unconditional love are the only weapons that can win the fight against darkness. Mossi's writing is captivating and beautifully captures the emotions and struggles of the characters.
Overall, I would highly recommend "The Queen of Monsters" to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted sci-fi story with a strong and inspiring protagonist. I would give it a 4.5 (4 star on good reads as its not quite a 5)-star rating and cannot wait to see what Mossi has in store for us in the next book of the Trassian Saga.
I loved the first book in the Tarrassian Saga, but this one is even better. I prefer strong characters, and I wasn’t expecting much from Natalia, the protagonist of the Queen of Monsters. In the first book, she is portrayed as a child-like cutie, cowering behind the strong-willed Ice Queen. Natalia is still all that, but she is also a force of nature. I don’t want to spoil it for everyone, as her past is only revealed in the last few chapters. I can only say her irrational fear of Monsters comes from a very dark childhood. Under the shield of a witness protection programme, Natalia makes a good life for herself and becomes a famous commercial model. Just when things are finally on the mend, Natalia’s beauty catches the interest of alien slavers, and she is taken from Earth. She is rescued by Tarrassians but finds herself lost again after following Sia—the Ice Queen—on a crazy escape. Natalia has to survive life on a hostile alien ice planet, with not one but two Monsters for company. I laughed out loud at the constant discrepancy between her words and her actions. She says she is terrified of them, but she just bosses them around. The Sphinx is a strikingly handsome shapeshifter who rules supreme over life and death. Tannon is a scarred, grumpy Tarrassian who looks nothing like his aesthetically pleasing species. The second Natalia develops matching mating marks to the Tarrassian, she is a girl on a mission. The tiny ball of red hair and clumsiness turns into a hurricane. She discovers ancient secrets, changes laws, and chases her man until he has no choice but to give up. Her attempts at seduction are absolutely hilarious, her mouth has no filter, and she treats the Sphinx like a domestic cat. This book takes overly used tropes like fated mates, alien abduction, beauty and the beast and turns them into an original story of hope, heated love and a ton of humour. There are loads of unexpected twists and turns, and we get introduced to more amazing alien species. There is a hilarious ending and a very enticing epilogue, a transition to the next book in the series. I bought this in paperback, and the cover is just beautiful. Exactly how I would have pictured the two protagonists or the Sphinx's cave.
Finally, book two in the Tarrassian Saga!!! Well worth the wait! After reading book one, I had the feeling Natalia’s character was going to be some whiny, needy woman, and I wasn’t looking forward to her story. Well, Natalia is a powerhouse! The girl is tiny, really young, had a childhood from hell, and her present doesn’t look any better. She finds herself trapped in a freezing cave with not one but two giant, domineering and larger-than-life males who match her idea of monsters. What does she do? She wraps them around her little whinny, needy finger and then some. Despite what it may seem in the beginning, this is not an MFM kind of story. Natalia and Tannon, a Tarrassian warrior, develop their fated mates' markings, so they are expected to have everlasting love, no questions asked. There is also the Sphinx (sigh and pray for a book about the guy sooner rather than later). The relationship between the characters is a classic messy love triangle. Natalia wants Tannon, but Tannon doesn’t want her, the Sphinx wants Natalia, but she doesn’t want him. This is all I am going to say because I hate spoilers. There are so many twists and turns and an unexpected secret that left me gawking. There are many other side characters, aliens and humans, some old, some new, all interconnected in the easy flow of the story. As with book one, the author is very good at creating detailed alien worlds. Beautiful descriptive writing! It feels as if you are there. In this book, we get introduced to Tarrassia, and I wish I could visit. I think I managed to avoid spoilers because you will love the build-up to the big reveal. The epilogue links to the third book, Gianna’s story, and I already hate the wait. I wish I’d found this saga when all the books were out. It’s one of those series you want to binge on. And, my question to the author: must we wait for the last book in this series before we hear about the Sphinx? Come on! Not only is he super-hot and lonely, but now he is also heartbroken. Sigh, again!
* Note. I read this yesterday and wrote the review whilst everything was still fresh in my mind. So I promise I’m not still crying. Might cry again actually, speak to you all when my sleeve no longer has room for snot.
I read this in one sitting, I have just finished, and I’m crying my eyes out, I’m not sure why I’m crying or how to describe how I’m feeling other than this is genuinely, from the bottom of my heart the most beautiful sci fi romance book I have read.
A story of two unexpected souls thrown into the paths of each other, both with such troubles pasts. Imagine leaving earth behind and entering another world full of unknowns, filled with chaos, unexpected moments and… monsters. Species, I personally have never seen written before with strong names, that aren’t just thrown in to make it seem sci fi. Every species is so detailed, even down to the smallest ways, like how they show fear or communicate. The characters themselves are described in such detail that you don’t even need to imagine them, they come to life in your mind. I could see than all so clearly and wow, that scenery.
You don’t just read this story, you become a part of it. The emotions become yours, every moments become apart of you and the tears become real. ‘ Maybe because it’s on that strong forehead. ' ^ That is one of many lines that had me absolutely cackling like a witch during this.
Gahhh, I cannot describe how fully this consumed me nor could I ever fully describe how bloody good it was!!
My heart from the start and from here on out is owned by one, Leo. I just can’t seem to move past him, so once you undoubtedly decide to read this, hands the vex off my man.
Get yours now! I’m not a huge sci fi fan unless it’s dark, and if you are like me this will change your opinion!! I might just go and re read it..
* Copied from my review on my Instagram. @livingmybookera
A little bit confusing at first but I got straight into the story, I’ve never read any Monster/Alien Fantasy before so this was the first book I’ve been introduced to in this genre 💖✨
I really loved the way Aria described all the characters, I felt like I was there and could really visualise the characters, the outfits the planets the aliens! 💖✨
I absolutely loved the concept, of the fated mates, and the growing relationship between Natalia and Tannon 💖✨
Very much spicy in places, but who doesn’t love a bit of spice 💖✨🌶️🌶️
I really can’t wait to read more of Aria’s amazing books 💖✨
The Queen of Monsters is the story of an inspiring young woman. Unlike most fantasy characters who embark on epic journeys of self-discovery, Natalia already knows who she is. Her journey is all about those who hide in the darkness; no matter if they are aliens, monsters, mythical creatures, or humans. Natalia can see behind their labels, protective walls, and scars. This is her greatest gift.
Tannon, the alien protagonist, is the only half-blood Tarrassian. A tormented soul who can’t adhere to his people’s perfection standards or outdated laws. He is content with living a life on the run from himself and the perfection of Tarrassian society. That is until the confusing alien female turns his life upside down.
Together, they embark on a journey that will free Tarrassian of its outdated laws, give power to those who need it and rein in those who abuse it. Natalia will soon find out that you will likely find your angels when you run from your monsters.
I loved Natalia and Tannon’s story. This book started off with the pod crash from book 1 with Natalia and Sia. It was great having the little snippets of Sia in this book as she communicated with Natalia.
Being stranded on a strange planet with her mate and a Sphinx didn’t put a dampener on Natalia’s spirit. She formed a lovely friendship with the Sphinx and gave him a name. Leo. I laughed every time she compared him to a cat.
My heart ached for Natalia when she was looking after an injured Tannon, only to have him wake up and cause her emotional pain instantly. 😡 You could feel her love for him coming off the page.
Loved their spicy scene in the cave, and how she said his ‘seed’ healed her sore throat 😂
Asking the Sphinx for his riddle really affected them all but I’m glad they found a way around it. The goodbye Natalia and Leo shared was enlightening and very sad. She may have left him but at least she found out his true name. DANIEL.
The reunion between the women was amazing. I love their bond.
When Natalia realised Tannon wanted to leave her behind but was forced to take her home, it nearly broke my heart.
Loving the fact that the aliens that attend to them are scared when Natalia hugs them.
I cannot believe Tannon walked away from Natalia yet again after they shared an intimate moment!!
She finally grew a backbone though and told him off and that made me smile.
The picnic was such a cute idea and it gave the couple a chance to have a heart to heart and lay down their fears.
The sneak peak we got of Gianna and Zaan makes me super excited for book 3!
I’m super glad Natalia finally got her Monster and that Tannon got his Beautiful Gift.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved Natalia and Tannon’s story. This book started off with the pod crash from book 1 with Natalia and Sia. It was great having the little snippets of Sia in this book as she communicated with Natalia.
Being stranded on a strange planet with her mate and a Sphinx didn’t put a dampener on Natalia’s spirit. She formed a lovely friendship with the Sphinx and gave him a name. Leo. I laughed every time she compared him to a cat.
My heart ached for Natalia when she was looking after an injured Tannon, only to have him wake up and cause her emotional pain instantly. 😡 You could feel her love for him coming off the page.
Loved their spicy scene in the cave, and how she said his ‘seed’ healed her sore throat 😂
Asking the Sphinx for his riddle really affected them all but I’m glad they found a way around it. The goodbye Natalia and Leo shared was enlightening and very sad. She may have left him but at least she found out his true name. DANIEL.
The reunion between the women was amazing. I love their bond.
When Natalia realised Tannon wanted to leave her behind but was forced to take her home, it nearly broke my heart.
Loving the fact that the aliens that attend to them are scared when Natalia hugs them.
I cannot believe Tannon walked away from Natalia yet again after they shared an intimate moment!!
She finally grew a backbone though and told him off and that made me smile.
The picnic was such a cute idea and it gave the couple a chance to have a heart to heart and lay down their fears.
The sneak peak we got of Gianna and Zaan makes me super excited for book 3!
I’m super glad Natalia finally got her Monster and that Tannon got his Beautiful Gift.
The Queen of Monsters is the second book in The Tarrassian Saga. The books are interconnected standalones, so they don’t have to be read in a certain order.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, but it didn’t affect my reading experience, and I was able to catch on fairly easily with what was going on and who the characters were.
The book is told from two points of view: the FMC, Natalia, who is a human from Earth, and the MMC, Tannon, who is Tarrassian. The dual POV storytelling fits the plot nicely.
At the beginning, I was a bit annoyed with Natalia and found her to be quite childish, but I started to like her more towards the end of the book. Both Tannon and Natalia had difficult and dark pasts, which affected them as characters, their relationship, and their decisions.
I really enjoyed Leo as a character. He seemed really interesting, and I would love to learn more about him.
The plot was easy to follow, focusing mostly on the relationship development and dynamics between the FMC and MMC. The pacing was quite slow at times without being too slow and/or boring.
The writing style might not be for everyone, but I personally didn’t have issues with it, other than it being a bit repetitive at times. For example, Natalia uses the word "monster" quite often, especially at the beginning of the book. Also, the size difference between the FMC and MMC was mentioned often.
Overall an interesting and sweet alien romance with a complex world and a well-deserved HEA. I’m interested in reading the other books in the series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.
The Queen of Monsters was a wild ride for me. It was my introduction to the monster/human romance 💘 genre, and though it started slowly for me it quickly picked up.
Natalia, the MFC, is a young woman with an incredibly traumatic childhood. That trauma has deeply formed the way she sees, thinks, and interacts with the world. Males are a threat, seen as monsters 🧌. And after being abducted from earth, she is literally surrounded by the monsters she fears. Natalia’s emotions are erratic, vacillating between giggling 🤭 and crying 😭 at the drop of a hat. There is something incredibly childlike about her, and her dialogue is written as such.
The MMC, Tannon, is a gentle giant of sorts. At least towards Natalia. He desires her, but is deeply concerned about not scaring or hurting her. Tannon also feels unworthy of her. He has a destiny he is denying and wants to keep secret 🤫.
It was actually quite sweet 🍬to watch the two begin to let their guards down and begin to show and share vulnerability. They each find healing and growth in their relationship.
The story has many funny moments. Things that fall out of Natalia’s mouth can be downright hilarious. 😂 Language barriers/ understanding at times makes for humorous results. There’s also a bit of love triangle🔺with a Sphinx that Natalia names Leo, and interactions with him are fun 😁.
Natalia comes from a past full of darkness and a horrific childhood spent in the Siberian taiga. Her Monsters are real, and they hide in every corner of her memory. Her state of mind, fragility and child-like innocence make both humans and aliens question her sanity. In reality, Natalia is an inspiring young woman who owns her past and fears. Her determination shapes her new alien planet's future, defeats a Sphinx and tames the scariest Monster of all. She may be afraid of her own shadow, but she is not scared to fight for love, even when it comes in the shape of her worst nightmare: a Monster.
Review: (will contain Spoilers) This is a very uniquely written book, it’s almost like you are in the room with the main characters and the writing style differs from who’s perspective you are reading in. Very well done.I was sad to see Leo go and thought they would be a better mate than Tannon but as I progressed through the book I realized how wrong I was!! I loved the slow burn relationship between Natalia and Tannon. Natalia’s character just grew and grew and grew, and she was such a resilient and strong character and it was lovely to see how she developed throughout the story. There were a few twists and a lot of secrets about the characters revealed and that made you truly understand the characters you were reading about and made me fall in love with them even more. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for an Alien Romance. Please always read the trigger warnings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Queen of Monsters is book number 2 of The Tarrassian Saga, and follows the story of Human Natalia and half-breed Tarrassian Tannon.
The Tarrassian books are advertised as standalones, however I would recommend reading the first book in the saga first. It just helps some things make more sense as it fills in some of the things that this book briefly touches on, for example some of the planets and some jokes about Sia and her mate Tarrs, who's story is told in the first book.
I really enjoyed this story! I found it a little slow to get into as she was by herself so only really her thoughts going on but I'm happy to say that changes quickly!
At the beginning, having read the first book, I wasn't sure how Natalia was going to do on her own, but boy did she prove me wrong which I am so happy about! She proved herself, fought for herself and her mate and turned out to be so much stronger mentally than anyone gave her credit for. She overcame her past trauma and was able to open herself up for love, despite how unlikely she may have found it. Her character development was beautiful to watch. Not going to lie, Tannon annoyed me at first! I thought he was being such a brat and just selfish! But by the end I loved him for Natalia and love that they finally came together... 😉 I love that they brought out the best of each other and I cannot wait to see their story develop throughout the other books.
This book ends with an insight into the third book, The Warrior Queen, about Gianna and I cannot wait to read it!
Wow, The Queen of Monsters!!! Where do I start with this book, I won't lie the first few chapters I didn't think I would like the romance alien style. I’ve not read Book one The Ice Queen so the first chapter did confuse me a little, the further along I got the more I learnt reading book one wasn't actually needed to understand Natalia’s story line. However, with this in mind if I was reading this book for the first time again I would have read book one just to give me some more context to the story as a whole.
I enjoyed Aria’s style of writing, her character’s all have a meaning even the side character’s have a special meaning to Aria herself which shines through this book. The spice in this book is just the right amount, not too much that it distracts from the story line but enough to keep your spice-o-meter interested. My only one thing for this book that I would have liked to have seen was maybe some more chapters from Tannon, it would have been good to get to know him more as a character and explore his side of the story more. I also would have enjoyed seeing some chapters from Leo the sphinx or maybe a book about his story would be a good idea which tandems with Natalia meeting him. With this all being said, I found the flow of the book from chapter to chapter very good and easy to read, I will admit I read this book myself within 2 days because I couldn’t put it down.
“A Monster who knows your name is far worse than anything else”
I absolutely devoured this book.
Honestly I don’t think I can physically put into words how much I enjoyed it, I could not put it down. Monster romances are not something I would typically pick up but seriously this book has me questioning that.
Aria has done such a beautiful job at bringing Tarrassian and all of its inhabitants to life. The world and its story is just so immersive, intricate and beautiful that I am really struggling to leave.
I originally thought I wouldn’t get on well with the FMC in this book as I generally gravitate towards the more feistier FMC’s but Aria did an amazing job at showing that you can still get it done then cry about it after and I ended up absolutely loving Natalia.
There is still so so much more I could say about this beautiful book. So if this sounds like someone you would like to read please do it. Then come talk to me about it!
I am now at a loss though, because I don’t know if I want to go back and read book 1 in the series or continue on to book 3. These are all standalones and can be read as such but I think I would have preferred to read book 1 first.
Honestly though this book is going to hold such a special place for me and I can’t wait to see what comes next….hopefully Leo because my heart still hurts at that part.
The Queen of Monsters” by Aria Mossi is a mesmerizing blend of alien fantasy and romance that took me on an unexpected journey. Initially, I found myself struggling to connect with the story, but Aria’s beautiful writing style gradually drew me in, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the world she created. As it was my first Alien romance, I was bound to struggle initially!
One of the book’s strengths lies in its portrayal of the protagonist, Natalia, whose emotional depth initially puzzled me but was later revealed in a way that resonated deeply. Aria’s skillful characterization made Natalia’s journey one that I could empathize with, evoking a range of emotions within me.
The plot of “The Queen of Monsters” is a captivating tapestry of intrigue and suspense, keeping me eagerly devouring each page. As the second installment in a series, it sets a promising foundation for what’s to come, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next book. I am also eager to read the first, you are able to read all the books in the series as standalone’s 😁
Overall, “The Queen of Monsters” earns a solid four stars from me. Aria Mossi has crafted a unique and compelling story that may not be relatable to everyone, but is certainly worth the journey of understanding. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
This book was definitely a bit different to my usual reads, however, I really enjoyed it! I went in blind and wasn’t really sure what to expect. I did struggle a bit to get into it at first and was thinking it would maybe have helped and made more sense at the beginning if I had read book 1 first? However, once I sussed out what was what and who was who, I was hooked!
I found it a bit strange how quick Natalia went from being scared and running away from Tannon, to him becoming “her monster” and felt there could’ve maybe been more of a build up there… I did find her pretty annoying at times but it defo was an important characteristic for her I reckon… she was either crying or giggling… like, all the time! She definitely become a strong and powerful woman by the end of the story though and I liked how we seen her open up and her confidence grow.
The description throughout the book was fantastic and I could really visualise all of the characters and the worlds they explored. Leo was very interesting and I would love to read more about him! I also did like Tannon’s character as well, he was a good monster.
The ending was intriguing and I’m curious to know what comes next for Gianna…
I would definitely like to read the other books in the series and get to know all the other characters and their stories!