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Garrison Earth #5
Chained
I conquered her planet and pillaged her body. Now I’m back for her heart.
A decade ago, I brought war to Solgad, home of the Jal’zar. I sacked the planet and slaughtered the people, all to save my race from extinction. Until one of their female warriors hissed defiance, promising me death at her hands no matter how her body longed for mine.
Each night, she came to end me, only to succumb to the raw urges of her mating heat.
Each night, I gave her hungry womb what it needed, the way we coupled neither safe nor sane.
I was the enemy she couldn’t kill.
She was the female I couldn’t have.
Together, we unleashed chaos.
Many solar cycles after the occupation, I return to Solgad, searching the ashen plains for her: my soulmate. This time, I will claim the Jal’zar female as mine, and nobody will get in the way.
Not even myself.
Chained is the fifth book in this interconnected romance series, taking us to Solgad, home of the Jal'zar. If you enjoy resilient women, devoted aliens, fated mates, and hard-earned happily ever after’s with no cliffhangers, you’ll love Garrison Earth. Author Note: The entire Garrison Earth series touches on subjects such as captivity, drug abuse, forced prostitution, loss of loved ones, human trafficking, rough handling, and violence. Any reader uncomfortable with the harsh realities of an alien invasion should please consider before purchase.
A decade ago, I brought war to Solgad, home of the Jal’zar. I sacked the planet and slaughtered the people, all to save my race from extinction. Until one of their female warriors hissed defiance, promising me death at her hands no matter how her body longed for mine.
Each night, she came to end me, only to succumb to the raw urges of her mating heat.
Each night, I gave her hungry womb what it needed, the way we coupled neither safe nor sane.
I was the enemy she couldn’t kill.
She was the female I couldn’t have.
Together, we unleashed chaos.
Many solar cycles after the occupation, I return to Solgad, searching the ashen plains for her: my soulmate. This time, I will claim the Jal’zar female as mine, and nobody will get in the way.
Not even myself.
Chained is the fifth book in this interconnected romance series, taking us to Solgad, home of the Jal'zar. If you enjoy resilient women, devoted aliens, fated mates, and hard-earned happily ever after’s with no cliffhangers, you’ll love Garrison Earth. Author Note: The entire Garrison Earth series touches on subjects such as captivity, drug abuse, forced prostitution, loss of loved ones, human trafficking, rough handling, and violence. Any reader uncomfortable with the harsh realities of an alien invasion should please consider before purchase.
238 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2021
141 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 4, 2022
Usually in alien romance, the aliens are either morally grey or even the good guys, while the humans are the bad guys.
In Garrison Earth, the Vetusians are ruthless agressors throughout. Their politics are horrific and merciless. They pillage, rape, kill and colonize Earth, then expect humans to "calm down".
Worse yet, they invaded a second planet and raped pillaged and killed everyone there after falsely accusing said planet of wanting to attack Earth.
In short, the Vetusians are the bad guys here, 100%. The way the human heroines hate them isn't just realistic, it's earned.
Even if some of the Vetusians are ok people, the bottom line is that their whole race and politics are evil, mercenary, violent and criminal.
That makes this series stand out among other alien romances.
The heroes in this series are also either bad or very grey. Sure they sometimes have good intentions. But they all make choices with horrible consequences - often for others.
It's hard to root for the Patriarchy 2.0 from space, but book 1&5 were actually very good enemies to lovers romances.
The books were violent and bloody and the heroes had a lot to answer for, but that made the enemies part more believable.
Books 2-4 were pretty much a huge dumpster fire, though. The heroes and the settings enraged me. Their entitlement and their shrugging attitude towards the victims of their hideous war politics was like acid to my soul.
It was grating and I wanted all of them to die.
Honestly a book 6 where one lone gunslinging woman just goes on a murder spree and just chainsaw massacres these smug bastards that would be an eminently readable book.
Can I recommend this series? Eh, not really. There are like a million triggers here and if colonial history makes you angry, this will also do the trick. The Vetusians are for the most part, oblivious agressors who view Earth and other planets as collateral damage and women as breedable little wombs. Book 5 comes closest to actually reflect on that theme of violent oppression, with Zavis regretting crimes he committed and also the way he unintentionally jeopardized the female Jal'zar population.
Was Zavis regret enough atonement to even come close to fix the damage he alone wrecked? Eh. But the way he tried sure made him the most sympathetic hero in the series.
Overall, I would say that the Ash Planet Warrior series is a safer bet to read, because the Jal'zar don't have the horrific baggage the Vetusians do.
In Garrison Earth, the Vetusians are ruthless agressors throughout. Their politics are horrific and merciless. They pillage, rape, kill and colonize Earth, then expect humans to "calm down".
Worse yet, they invaded a second planet and raped pillaged and killed everyone there after falsely accusing said planet of wanting to attack Earth.
In short, the Vetusians are the bad guys here, 100%. The way the human heroines hate them isn't just realistic, it's earned.
Even if some of the Vetusians are ok people, the bottom line is that their whole race and politics are evil, mercenary, violent and criminal.
That makes this series stand out among other alien romances.
The heroes in this series are also either bad or very grey. Sure they sometimes have good intentions. But they all make choices with horrible consequences - often for others.
It's hard to root for the Patriarchy 2.0 from space, but book 1&5 were actually very good enemies to lovers romances.
The books were violent and bloody and the heroes had a lot to answer for, but that made the enemies part more believable.
Books 2-4 were pretty much a huge dumpster fire, though. The heroes and the settings enraged me. Their entitlement and their shrugging attitude towards the victims of their hideous war politics was like acid to my soul.
It was grating and I wanted all of them to die.
Honestly a book 6 where one lone gunslinging woman just goes on a murder spree and just chainsaw massacres these smug bastards that would be an eminently readable book.
Can I recommend this series? Eh, not really. There are like a million triggers here and if colonial history makes you angry, this will also do the trick. The Vetusians are for the most part, oblivious agressors who view Earth and other planets as collateral damage and women as breedable little wombs. Book 5 comes closest to actually reflect on that theme of violent oppression, with Zavis regretting crimes he committed and also the way he unintentionally jeopardized the female Jal'zar population.
Was Zavis regret enough atonement to even come close to fix the damage he alone wrecked? Eh. But the way he tried sure made him the most sympathetic hero in the series.
Overall, I would say that the Ash Planet Warrior series is a safer bet to read, because the Jal'zar don't have the horrific baggage the Vetusians do.
January 12, 2022
3.5 worth stars.
I have mixed feelings for this book. To be frank, my first touch with VKL’s universe was through the much hyped ‘Claimed by the Warlord’ which I could not finish. Not because the writing was bad, but because I did not like the universe: ashy, violent, tribal… and that claw sting was not sexy at all. I guess the novel’s cover did not help (though it is truly what H looks like and I have to congratulate the author to actually have commissioned a real cover instead of all those usual vapid, generic covers). Hence, this first experience did not bode well with my affinity with the rest of VKL’s other books. And then, time passed and I got recommended ‘Chained’. At first, I though that this book was in another universe (based on the blurb) and allowed myself to give it a chance. I quickly understood that ‘Chained’ was basically the prequel for the spin off series that starts with ‘Claimed by the Warlord’. I was tempted to drop this book too, but by then, I got interested in the plot and thus, forged on. My review:
What made reading difficult:
- I hated the universe in which the H/h lived in, both the 14 years earlier, and the 14 years later epochs. Unfair, violent, ugly. Many dirty ‘historical’ events happen off book and are only rapidly re-told by the characters, but the 14 years of separation and the re-counted atrocities that happened in between left a sour taste in my mouth, more so that it drove a wrench in the romance of the H/h (even if the story indicates that they were the fated linchpins to the inevitable unfolding of history). Solgad itself felt bizzare, with its awful atmospheric conditions, and tribes living primitively but having a technological space port. Anything is of course possible in fiction, but this contrast within the same society just did not feel anthropologically logical, alien race or not.
‐ I struggled with the writing style throughout the whole book. This prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story as time and again I had to force my focus back to the story. I don’t know whether it was the story universe that did not help, or whether the writing style did not get to me. Don’t get me wrong, the author did a huge job writing this novel and I certainly could not do. But somewhere, I felt choked and struggled to read.
- The overall romance plot was the strong point of the book, but in some places, there seems to be ‘holes’, which would have deserved to be developed in-depth, so as to enrich the story. For example, during the 14 years of separation, the H is believed by most people in the universe to be a lecherous bastard who willfully abused enslaved prostitutes. Luckily for him, he quickly convinces the h that it was all a ‘legend’ cover towards his master plan of saving the maximum of Solgad’s stolen females. However, at the same time, the story suggests that while the H never slept and find release with any of the females, he did touch them ‘a lot’ but also, he did nurture them a lot when they were having pains from their heats or dying. All this bit was told in few sentences, and on piecemeal basis over some chapters. Though it is obviously a painful part of the atrocious war events, it would still have been useful, imho, that that part of the story be recounted more in details e.g. having the H’s POV of what were his feelings, plans, beliefs etc, when he was on Odheim with the slaves; more details on his spiraling into alcohol and his emotions at the time; more details on how this ‘Chainsmith’ reputation were viewed by the h, Zerim, and the general population (the actual impact of this surname did not resonate clearly in the plot); more details on how the H found the h’s mother and his interactions with her, etc. Even the plight of the h during the 14 years deserved more details and more reactions from the H’s POV. I do not know if some of these ‘holes’ were in fact recounted in earlier books in the series, but even if they were, they really ought to have been repeated in this one as it concerns directly Zavis and Naney’s romance. These missing parts would have been well worth the increased angst, and the buckets of tears I did not get to shed while reading, and would have earned more stars.
What made me forge on:
‐ I loved the H, Zavis. His laid back, easy attitude, even in difficult situations, was very endearing. No matter the obstacles that Naney put in front of him (at the peril of being killed by her!) he did not abandon and forged on. Like he was guided by the universe. I do think he felt in love first (and hard) with Naney, well before the bonding. And he also showed that he is not perfect but he means well. He is willing to sacrifice himself, his life, his reputation, all for the love of Naney, even if she has reason to believe that he is a bastard. But still he held on and successfully reached out (and tamed) Naney. In the second part of the book (14 years later), his resolve to not have sex with Naney until her heat is over, to show her that what they have is more than lust and biology, is just pure gold.
- Zerim, the H/h’s son was a golden creation. And certainly excellent bait to make me continue with the other books in the spin off recounting his story 😊
- Although Naney was hard to love at the start, little by little, through the love of Zavis, I finally appreciated her as well.
- The sex scenes were steamy enough, a bit violent in terms of foreplay, but overall well written. Similar to what I commented on development earlier, the scenes could have been longer, with still more focus on the emotional, especially after the H/h first encounter. The claw sting part was acceptable, only because it was not a sex scene, and the hum part was magnificent.
- The improbable soul bonding (improbable by the standards of other Jal’zars) was magnificent to watch, esp. when recounted from Zavis’ POV – I will leave if you return my half of my soul. It is unfair that most Jal’zars do not believe that Zavis and Naney can be soulmates because they are of different races. A sneak peek in the spin off series confirms that all through the years after ‘Chained’ and the spin offs (20 years?), the bond was still being mostly scorned at as a lie. But then, this brings me to the fact that this book also successfully brought to the forth the theme of ‘imperfection’: not everything is rosy, no matter the good will. For example, Zavis worked hard to save all these females, but few know that he had a hand in it and most of the females had a pariah status when they got to their home world. This is a wise reflection of real life: hope and imperfection walking hand in hand. And this is why the book demarcates itself despite the horrible universe it is in.
- I also appreciated how time and again VKL highlighted that what was between Zavis and Naney went so much beyong being Jal'zar and Vetusian, or Oppressor and Oppressee, or enemies and traitors... but just a male and a female, who are attuned to their primal feelings and senses. A nice and apt message for the story's context, as well as in general.
So, this book was in effect a good read (surprisingly, given my previous experience with the related book) with a solid romance at its core, but it missed the opportunity of being an epic read that would have obliterated completely the ugliness of its universe. That said, I will certainly now go and read the other books linked to Zerim and Torin at least. Bravo to the author, for it requires talent to raise passion and debate in my readership.
I have mixed feelings for this book. To be frank, my first touch with VKL’s universe was through the much hyped ‘Claimed by the Warlord’ which I could not finish. Not because the writing was bad, but because I did not like the universe: ashy, violent, tribal… and that claw sting was not sexy at all. I guess the novel’s cover did not help (though it is truly what H looks like and I have to congratulate the author to actually have commissioned a real cover instead of all those usual vapid, generic covers). Hence, this first experience did not bode well with my affinity with the rest of VKL’s other books. And then, time passed and I got recommended ‘Chained’. At first, I though that this book was in another universe (based on the blurb) and allowed myself to give it a chance. I quickly understood that ‘Chained’ was basically the prequel for the spin off series that starts with ‘Claimed by the Warlord’. I was tempted to drop this book too, but by then, I got interested in the plot and thus, forged on. My review:
What made reading difficult:
- I hated the universe in which the H/h lived in, both the 14 years earlier, and the 14 years later epochs. Unfair, violent, ugly. Many dirty ‘historical’ events happen off book and are only rapidly re-told by the characters, but the 14 years of separation and the re-counted atrocities that happened in between left a sour taste in my mouth, more so that it drove a wrench in the romance of the H/h (even if the story indicates that they were the fated linchpins to the inevitable unfolding of history). Solgad itself felt bizzare, with its awful atmospheric conditions, and tribes living primitively but having a technological space port. Anything is of course possible in fiction, but this contrast within the same society just did not feel anthropologically logical, alien race or not.
‐ I struggled with the writing style throughout the whole book. This prevented me from fully immersing myself in the story as time and again I had to force my focus back to the story. I don’t know whether it was the story universe that did not help, or whether the writing style did not get to me. Don’t get me wrong, the author did a huge job writing this novel and I certainly could not do. But somewhere, I felt choked and struggled to read.
- The overall romance plot was the strong point of the book, but in some places, there seems to be ‘holes’, which would have deserved to be developed in-depth, so as to enrich the story. For example, during the 14 years of separation, the H is believed by most people in the universe to be a lecherous bastard who willfully abused enslaved prostitutes. Luckily for him, he quickly convinces the h that it was all a ‘legend’ cover towards his master plan of saving the maximum of Solgad’s stolen females. However, at the same time, the story suggests that while the H never slept and find release with any of the females, he did touch them ‘a lot’ but also, he did nurture them a lot when they were having pains from their heats or dying. All this bit was told in few sentences, and on piecemeal basis over some chapters. Though it is obviously a painful part of the atrocious war events, it would still have been useful, imho, that that part of the story be recounted more in details e.g. having the H’s POV of what were his feelings, plans, beliefs etc, when he was on Odheim with the slaves; more details on his spiraling into alcohol and his emotions at the time; more details on how this ‘Chainsmith’ reputation were viewed by the h, Zerim, and the general population (the actual impact of this surname did not resonate clearly in the plot); more details on how the H found the h’s mother and his interactions with her, etc. Even the plight of the h during the 14 years deserved more details and more reactions from the H’s POV. I do not know if some of these ‘holes’ were in fact recounted in earlier books in the series, but even if they were, they really ought to have been repeated in this one as it concerns directly Zavis and Naney’s romance. These missing parts would have been well worth the increased angst, and the buckets of tears I did not get to shed while reading, and would have earned more stars.
What made me forge on:
‐ I loved the H, Zavis. His laid back, easy attitude, even in difficult situations, was very endearing. No matter the obstacles that Naney put in front of him (at the peril of being killed by her!) he did not abandon and forged on. Like he was guided by the universe. I do think he felt in love first (and hard) with Naney, well before the bonding. And he also showed that he is not perfect but he means well. He is willing to sacrifice himself, his life, his reputation, all for the love of Naney, even if she has reason to believe that he is a bastard. But still he held on and successfully reached out (and tamed) Naney. In the second part of the book (14 years later), his resolve to not have sex with Naney until her heat is over, to show her that what they have is more than lust and biology, is just pure gold.
- Zerim, the H/h’s son was a golden creation. And certainly excellent bait to make me continue with the other books in the spin off recounting his story 😊
- Although Naney was hard to love at the start, little by little, through the love of Zavis, I finally appreciated her as well.
- The sex scenes were steamy enough, a bit violent in terms of foreplay, but overall well written. Similar to what I commented on development earlier, the scenes could have been longer, with still more focus on the emotional, especially after the H/h first encounter. The claw sting part was acceptable, only because it was not a sex scene, and the hum part was magnificent.
- The improbable soul bonding (improbable by the standards of other Jal’zars) was magnificent to watch, esp. when recounted from Zavis’ POV – I will leave if you return my half of my soul. It is unfair that most Jal’zars do not believe that Zavis and Naney can be soulmates because they are of different races. A sneak peek in the spin off series confirms that all through the years after ‘Chained’ and the spin offs (20 years?), the bond was still being mostly scorned at as a lie. But then, this brings me to the fact that this book also successfully brought to the forth the theme of ‘imperfection’: not everything is rosy, no matter the good will. For example, Zavis worked hard to save all these females, but few know that he had a hand in it and most of the females had a pariah status when they got to their home world. This is a wise reflection of real life: hope and imperfection walking hand in hand. And this is why the book demarcates itself despite the horrible universe it is in.
- I also appreciated how time and again VKL highlighted that what was between Zavis and Naney went so much beyong being Jal'zar and Vetusian, or Oppressor and Oppressee, or enemies and traitors... but just a male and a female, who are attuned to their primal feelings and senses. A nice and apt message for the story's context, as well as in general.
So, this book was in effect a good read (surprisingly, given my previous experience with the related book) with a solid romance at its core, but it missed the opportunity of being an epic read that would have obliterated completely the ugliness of its universe. That said, I will certainly now go and read the other books linked to Zerim and Torin at least. Bravo to the author, for it requires talent to raise passion and debate in my readership.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
This is the story of Zavis. He’s been mentioned a few times in previous book and I’m happy to know his story.
✅ Main characters are both alien. First for me. Naney (h) a female Jal’zar, white hair, purple eyes with tails, strong, leader, skilful, spitfire virgin. Zavis (H) one of the Ventusian wardens, strong, loyal, loving and possessive. He is known as traitor warden, I like the unique anatomy of characters.
✅enemies to lovers
✅plenty of angry sex
✅gave history of how Jal’zar females how they ended in brothels in Odheim
✅ explains why Zavis betrayed the Veltusians, for Nane’s safety
✅14 sun cycle separation (9 yrs I guess equivalent)
✅second chance romance
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun watching the father and son interaction. I like the scene where Zavis advised “Just kiss a female and ask question later” haha.
Highly recommended.
✅ Main characters are both alien. First for me. Naney (h) a female Jal’zar, white hair, purple eyes with tails, strong, leader, skilful, spitfire virgin. Zavis (H) one of the Ventusian wardens, strong, loyal, loving and possessive. He is known as traitor warden, I like the unique anatomy of characters.
✅enemies to lovers
✅plenty of angry sex
✅gave history of how Jal’zar females how they ended in brothels in Odheim
✅ explains why Zavis betrayed the Veltusians, for Nane’s safety
✅14 sun cycle separation (9 yrs I guess equivalent)
✅second chance romance
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun watching the father and son interaction. I like the scene where Zavis advised “Just kiss a female and ask question later” haha.
Highly recommended.
June 15, 2021
After a looooooooong wait filled with eagerness and anticipation, Chained is finally here! The infamous Zavis da taigh Broknar that we got small glimpses of in previous books *finally* gets his story told. And what a story! He definitely meets his match in Naney, a female Jal’zar.
As with the other books in the Garrison Earth series, there’s lots of steam and tension between the couple. ⚠️ Proceed with caution in public ⚠️
While this series is done (for now, maybe? I NEED Kael’s story 😩😩😩), the stage is set nicely for Ash Planet Warriors (the next series) with soulbonds, ruts, and the fierce Jal’zar males. Never knew a tailclaw between the ribs could be so sexy.
As with the other books in the Garrison Earth series, there’s lots of steam and tension between the couple. ⚠️ Proceed with caution in public ⚠️
While this series is done (for now, maybe? I NEED Kael’s story 😩😩😩), the stage is set nicely for Ash Planet Warriors (the next series) with soulbonds, ruts, and the fierce Jal’zar males. Never knew a tailclaw between the ribs could be so sexy.
June 15, 2021
The writing and editing was great, with nary a typo and beautiful sentence structure. The world building was lush and vivid, with the harsh landscape of the world and details of the culture being a vibrant character in itself. The characterization was good, with both hero and heroine being nuanced, sympathetic individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The development of the romantic relationship was gripping, intense and sizzling. The heat level was four chili peppers. The plot was tightly drawn and exciting, so the pacing was consequently quick. This novel contained high levels of well justified angst and high stakes throughout, which tends to be one of my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Enemies to Lovers trope, the Secret Baby trope, and the Mating Bond trope. The world building, plot, and pacing were all five stars. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were also five stars. This therefore gave this novel a combined rating of five stars. This novel ended on a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger ending, so that was a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy political machinations and intrigue in their sci-fi romances. I eagerly look forward to reading the first book in the new spin-off series. I plan to buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 25, 2022
Not like the other stories, but kinda good. You just have to get past the fact that the heroine is not a human, nor does she have human ways
March 2, 2025
DNF @ 7%.
I wasn't into the MMC or FMC. The MMC was a gross, sarcastic jackass and not even in an interesting way. Ugh.
I wasn't into the MMC or FMC. The MMC was a gross, sarcastic jackass and not even in an interesting way. Ugh.
October 20, 2023
I enjoyed Zavis’s story, finally after all the mentions of him in the other books. Turns out it was all a very sad misunderstanding. Mistakes were made on both sides that can’t be undone but in the end they found a way to be together. I liked that this one was between two aliens, no humans involved. And having read the Ash Planet Warriors series before this one it was so satisfying to make those connections. Honestly made me want to read Ash Planet all over again. This was a satisfying end to the series even though I would love to know what happened to Kael (was that his name?) who went to the planet with crazy slow time to wait for his fated mate to grow up. Anyways, really enjoyed this series, it was dark and angsty and more conflicted than most alien romances I read. A nice change of pace and challenge to the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
Definitely 5 stars. - Wow, I wasn’t expecting the resolution of the story’s conflict but it is fitting. This Is another riveting story in the Garrison Earth series. It tells you the story of Warden Zavis and the woman he didn’t expect to find in Solgad. This is another series from this author that is worthy of a TV adaptation. The relationship between Zavis and Naney pulls you in. The plot makes it hard to stop reading. There is always action, never boring. Very good blend of romance, steam and danger. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily chose to review it.
July 18, 2021
Disappointing
I usually love V. K. ‘S books but this one not so much. I found the story confusing and hard to follow( not my usual problem) . It may have been because the H and h were so incompatible that I could not wrap my head around this book. I will definitely read more from this author as I guess you can’t hit a home run all the time. The other Grarrison Earth books are fantastic but my advise is to skip this one. In fact it doesn’t even take place on Earth, hmm, maybe that’s the problem.
I usually love V. K. ‘S books but this one not so much. I found the story confusing and hard to follow( not my usual problem) . It may have been because the H and h were so incompatible that I could not wrap my head around this book. I will definitely read more from this author as I guess you can’t hit a home run all the time. The other Grarrison Earth books are fantastic but my advise is to skip this one. In fact it doesn’t even take place on Earth, hmm, maybe that’s the problem.
July 8, 2024
Zavis + Naney
I was worried because I read books 1 and 2 yearssss ago, so I honestly did not remember Zavis at all. So I searched his name in book 1 trying to remember who this guy was... ahh yes he was the other Warden that was off on Odinheim being a sleaze and Torin had to beg him to come back to Earth to use his vote in whatever. Anyways...
THIS WAS SO GOOD. Very.. Dances with Wolves or Avitar or Jungle to Jungle kind of lol. Fish out of water love story, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, second chance romance, etc.
We see Zavis and Torin on Solgad, the home planet of the Jal'zar. We have seen Jal'zar characters in the last book and have learned a bit about how they claim mates, so it was a smooth transition. Plus going back and telling the love story of what happened on Solgad and with Zavis before they invalided Earth.
I was so surprised how much I loved this one. Normally, if both love interests are alien or paranormal (aka no human is involved) I am not interested. But, since the Vertusians are very human like and the Jal'zar are so alien I guess it felt very human/alien anyways. Or they are just so different. LOVED being on Solgad and getting to know the planet and the ways of the Jal'zar. Zavis and Naney meet and have a secret love affair and are torn apart by the war. Time jump to present day and Zavis is sneaking back onto Solgad (no Vetusians are allowed on planet post war) and is in search of Naney. Now its learning what life is like post war on Solgad and their second chance romance.
This one just flowed so well. The author said she was putting this one off and SADLY decided have this one be the last in Garrison Earth, but this one was so cinematic in my head. And even though I forgot about Zavis and all the politic stuff, you are reminded about what is going on and maybe even given more info during the pre-invasion part. This was the perfect ending for Garrison Earth and perfectly sets up Ash Planet Warriors, the spin off. So while I am super sad there isn't any more Garrison Earth books, I'm happy to read more of the Jal'zar and them finding romance on Solgad.
I was worried because I read books 1 and 2 yearssss ago, so I honestly did not remember Zavis at all. So I searched his name in book 1 trying to remember who this guy was... ahh yes he was the other Warden that was off on Odinheim being a sleaze and Torin had to beg him to come back to Earth to use his vote in whatever. Anyways...
THIS WAS SO GOOD. Very.. Dances with Wolves or Avitar or Jungle to Jungle kind of lol. Fish out of water love story, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, second chance romance, etc.
We see Zavis and Torin on Solgad, the home planet of the Jal'zar. We have seen Jal'zar characters in the last book and have learned a bit about how they claim mates, so it was a smooth transition. Plus going back and telling the love story of what happened on Solgad and with Zavis before they invalided Earth.
I was so surprised how much I loved this one. Normally, if both love interests are alien or paranormal (aka no human is involved) I am not interested. But, since the Vertusians are very human like and the Jal'zar are so alien I guess it felt very human/alien anyways. Or they are just so different. LOVED being on Solgad and getting to know the planet and the ways of the Jal'zar. Zavis and Naney meet and have a secret love affair and are torn apart by the war. Time jump to present day and Zavis is sneaking back onto Solgad (no Vetusians are allowed on planet post war) and is in search of Naney. Now its learning what life is like post war on Solgad and their second chance romance.
This one just flowed so well. The author said she was putting this one off and SADLY decided have this one be the last in Garrison Earth, but this one was so cinematic in my head. And even though I forgot about Zavis and all the politic stuff, you are reminded about what is going on and maybe even given more info during the pre-invasion part. This was the perfect ending for Garrison Earth and perfectly sets up Ash Planet Warriors, the spin off. So while I am super sad there isn't any more Garrison Earth books, I'm happy to read more of the Jal'zar and them finding romance on Solgad.
January 14, 2024
This would have been much more impactful had I not already read Ash Planet Warriors. It definitely spoiled something that was supposed to be a big reveal. I still enjoyed it though. I was surprised that for a series where the whole concept is that you have a fated mate that I was a little confused on the timeline for the series. Zavis has supposedly just been released from prison and it had been 14 years since he had been to Solgad (side note: it super annoyed me that Naney asked how long it had been as if she would not have obviously known based on that just felt sloppy). How many years between the end of the Solgad occupation and the beginning of the Earth invasion? It felt like the previous book had been a few years after the invasion, but I would not say more than 3. In Ash Planet Warriors, they made it seem like Katedo and Zerim were closer in age but Katedo has to be like 17 years older which definitely gives different vibes to Stolen by the Warlord and CLaimed by the Warlord.
I was also a little let down by the ending. I really didn't like how Zavis
I was going to rate this 4 (rounded) but after writing this I feel like I should round down to 3.
I was also a little let down by the ending. I really didn't like how Zavis
I was going to rate this 4 (rounded) but after writing this I feel like I should round down to 3.
June 27, 2022
This series asks the question: what happens when you want to carry on as a species so badly that you’re willing to incite war under false pretenses with another alien civilization so that you can go to earth—with whom you share an ancestral gene pool—and tell them ‘we’ll protect you from them but as payment we want access to your female population’.
We finally get Zavis’s story and a lot of reveals in this installment. This is my second favorite in the series behind the first book with Torin and Eden.
I like that we finally get to see how exactly we get to the events of the Ash Planet Warriors series (a companion series that takes place years after the events of this series). Zavis and Naney’s story begins in the present. We then go back in time and get the truth of the war with the Jal’zari, sex trafficking, and the events that lead to Ash Planet series. Then we’re brought back to the present. Fantastic plot, some great surprise moments and reveals.
The author wrote a phenomenal story arc for this series as a whole and has mentioned the difficulty of all the elements that come into play. I sincerely hope the she will give us Kael’s story at some point. I’m so intrigued by this world and I honestly want a little more of it.
We finally get Zavis’s story and a lot of reveals in this installment. This is my second favorite in the series behind the first book with Torin and Eden.
I like that we finally get to see how exactly we get to the events of the Ash Planet Warriors series (a companion series that takes place years after the events of this series). Zavis and Naney’s story begins in the present. We then go back in time and get the truth of the war with the Jal’zari, sex trafficking, and the events that lead to Ash Planet series. Then we’re brought back to the present. Fantastic plot, some great surprise moments and reveals.
The author wrote a phenomenal story arc for this series as a whole and has mentioned the difficulty of all the elements that come into play. I sincerely hope the she will give us Kael’s story at some point. I’m so intrigued by this world and I honestly want a little more of it.
June 21, 2021
This author just continues to deliver us book after book of pure reading pleasure! Sometimes she makes me laugh. Sometimes I cry while reading them, but always, always I can't get enough! This long awaited book is Book 5 in the Garrison Earth series, and I am so happy that it is every bit as good as the first in the series and is well writtenas I aIways, always expect from this author!
The romance between Zavis and Naney is certainly volatile as these two from two different alien races learn to overcome their prejudices. Their characters are so special, and have definitely set the bar for those characters to come in the spin-off series, "The Ash Planet Warriors! Having read the intro and an ARC of
Book 1 in the new series, all I can say is get ready for scorching hot world of Solgad and its fearsome warlords! You will reconnect with some of the characters you meet in this book, which I have loved about this series!!!
The romance between Zavis and Naney is certainly volatile as these two from two different alien races learn to overcome their prejudices. Their characters are so special, and have definitely set the bar for those characters to come in the spin-off series, "The Ash Planet Warriors! Having read the intro and an ARC of
Book 1 in the new series, all I can say is get ready for scorching hot world of Solgad and its fearsome warlords! You will reconnect with some of the characters you meet in this book, which I have loved about this series!!!
July 23, 2024
More that lust and more than nature
This is book five in the Garrison Earth series. I have been reading this series and I have to say that this is one of my favorites because of the main characters. There is Zavis, the warden who does not want any part of the war and struggles with his own darkness and thoughts. Next there is Naney the female who is trying to understand her role in her tribe. Naney has the talent of seeing visions although she thinks that she has lost her visions. Naney and Zavis meet under the strangest circumstances a true fight of enemies yet curious about each other with a deep physical attraction. It’s a good story and characters and especially the BFF of Zavis, Torin. I will say that after reading the first four books, it took me a minute to switch gears for this story which does not have an abducted human female as part of the romantic plot. I am glad that I stuck with the book. Read On!
This is book five in the Garrison Earth series. I have been reading this series and I have to say that this is one of my favorites because of the main characters. There is Zavis, the warden who does not want any part of the war and struggles with his own darkness and thoughts. Next there is Naney the female who is trying to understand her role in her tribe. Naney has the talent of seeing visions although she thinks that she has lost her visions. Naney and Zavis meet under the strangest circumstances a true fight of enemies yet curious about each other with a deep physical attraction. It’s a good story and characters and especially the BFF of Zavis, Torin. I will say that after reading the first four books, it took me a minute to switch gears for this story which does not have an abducted human female as part of the romantic plot. I am glad that I stuck with the book. Read On!
March 20, 2022
This filled in so many blanks for me!
I started reading V.K.’s books with the Ash Planet series, and I’m so glad I did. Otherwise I may not have finished reading them. Garrison Earth was a difficult series for me. I hated what they did to the Jal’zar people, and it made me think that if they had to do so many terrible things to ensure their survival as a people, maybe they needed to ask themselves did they deserve to? But they did, and the union of Zavis and Naney resulted in Zerim, one of my absolute favorite characters! I adore him!!! So I have to care about his parents. Let me tell you, Chained completely turned my attitude toward’s Zavis around. When he was introduced in Captured, I thought he was awful! I don’t feel that way at all now. So many things became clear, and I love his story!!!
I started reading V.K.’s books with the Ash Planet series, and I’m so glad I did. Otherwise I may not have finished reading them. Garrison Earth was a difficult series for me. I hated what they did to the Jal’zar people, and it made me think that if they had to do so many terrible things to ensure their survival as a people, maybe they needed to ask themselves did they deserve to? But they did, and the union of Zavis and Naney resulted in Zerim, one of my absolute favorite characters! I adore him!!! So I have to care about his parents. Let me tell you, Chained completely turned my attitude toward’s Zavis around. When he was introduced in Captured, I thought he was awful! I don’t feel that way at all now. So many things became clear, and I love his story!!!
June 16, 2021
VK always leaves me wanting more. No matter the series, whether it's the Clan of the Woodlands, the Vandalars, or the Garrison, I always want more of the world she creates and the characters she develops. Whether the broody alpha-type or the comically misunderstood aliens to the feisty females, I'm always eager for more. There is always a bit of sadness when the series ends. I knew that was going to happen with this book.
I had been waiting for Zaris to get his spot in the sun. It was worth the wait. So hot 🔥 and unexpected with VK's blend of danger and steam. A perfect ending to for these two
I had been waiting for Zaris to get his spot in the sun. It was worth the wait. So hot 🔥 and unexpected with VK's blend of danger and steam. A perfect ending to for these two
July 1, 2021
So I am fairly new to this author, but I am finding it really easy to devour her books. They have great characters and story lines. Reading the first book on this series I was hoping there would be a book for Zavis. He was just too interesting of a character to not have a story, and it didn't disappoint! I loved the Jalzar woman he falls for, Naney. You get a bit of the actual past they shared in the story and then you also get the present as well. Naney ends up being Zavis' perfect match. She was fierce and yet had her moments of softness. I really liked how things ended in this series. And I'm looking forward to more Jalzar!
January 27, 2022
Favorite of the series
I have liked the whole series, some more than others. The books based on Odheim were the most difficult given the subject matter. However this was an unexpected favorite. I thought it being an off world (not earth) based book would make it similar to the others but this book went in a different direction entirely. Learning more in depth about the Jal’zar and seeing the love develop between the two main characters was well done. Each of their personalities made them like able on their own but together they were amazing. I’m looking forward to reading about Zerim now…
I have liked the whole series, some more than others. The books based on Odheim were the most difficult given the subject matter. However this was an unexpected favorite. I thought it being an off world (not earth) based book would make it similar to the others but this book went in a different direction entirely. Learning more in depth about the Jal’zar and seeing the love develop between the two main characters was well done. Each of their personalities made them like able on their own but together they were amazing. I’m looking forward to reading about Zerim now…
November 29, 2023
Wow
An interesting outcome to this dark romance series. If you start with this book first, you might be a bit confused. It starts off with basically a memory of the past, and in the middle of the book, it switches to the present day. If you read book one, you met a few of those characters that are mentioned. I like Torin and Zadeon. Those 2 are brothers in life. It's kind of an anticlimactic ending and feels a bit like there should be a bit more to the ending. Torin agrees to those terms, but what happened to him after that? Can he arrange to borrow Zadeon for council matters? Oh well, it was interesting and well worth reading.
An interesting outcome to this dark romance series. If you start with this book first, you might be a bit confused. It starts off with basically a memory of the past, and in the middle of the book, it switches to the present day. If you read book one, you met a few of those characters that are mentioned. I like Torin and Zadeon. Those 2 are brothers in life. It's kind of an anticlimactic ending and feels a bit like there should be a bit more to the ending. Torin agrees to those terms, but what happened to him after that? Can he arrange to borrow Zadeon for council matters? Oh well, it was interesting and well worth reading.
June 22, 2021
I love this series and this book may be my favorite. Zavis was a warrior who most think only brought death and destruction to Solgad. Naney is a Jal’zar female and they have had a hate/sexual relationship for sometime. Their story is stormy, steamy, push, pull, intense, and dangerous for the two. All the Garrison Earth stories have had great characters, intense relationships, and great steam. This is one of V.K.Ludwig's best and you can read it for FREE with your KU subscription like I did. Binge read the whole series this weekend, you will love them all.
July 2, 2021
Ludwig ends the series(?) with as much color, emotion, steaminess as it was started! This was definitely, in my opinion, the best of the series!
Zavis and Naney definitely steamed up the pages of my reader! Phew!
This journey, one I would not have normally started, as it is not my typical trope, will have me watching what this author will do next, and I am definitely on board with sprinkling this trope among my dark mafia and bully romance, like I do my romcom's and other tropes!
Kudos to an amazing series and an even more amazing end!!!
Zavis and Naney definitely steamed up the pages of my reader! Phew!
This journey, one I would not have normally started, as it is not my typical trope, will have me watching what this author will do next, and I am definitely on board with sprinkling this trope among my dark mafia and bully romance, like I do my romcom's and other tropes!
Kudos to an amazing series and an even more amazing end!!!
April 9, 2022
Story well written
Zavis and Naney’s story was so well written and like all the rest it speaks to how no matter the differences found amongst people love is a binding thread that can change the minds and hearts of anyone.
I love how this series co clouded and abs how it opened up the possibilities to so many other spin-offs. Zavis was a man of integrity the entire time and his love for his family proved that. Not as heart wrenching as the rest of the series but just as impactful.
Zavis and Naney’s story was so well written and like all the rest it speaks to how no matter the differences found amongst people love is a binding thread that can change the minds and hearts of anyone.
I love how this series co clouded and abs how it opened up the possibilities to so many other spin-offs. Zavis was a man of integrity the entire time and his love for his family proved that. Not as heart wrenching as the rest of the series but just as impactful.
June 1, 2022
I loved the Garrison Earth series. This book leads us into the next series, Ash Planet Warriors.
Zavis is a Vetusian warden who falls for a Jal'zar female during the Vetusian occupation. The more Naney bites, fights, and hisses the more he loves it. But circumstances and years separate them. When he returns to Solgad will she accept their soul bond? Does she believe the rumors of his life on Odheim? Will he accept the consequences of their tryst from 14 years ago?
V.K. Ludwig writes the kind of Alien Romance stories that I love.
Zavis is a Vetusian warden who falls for a Jal'zar female during the Vetusian occupation. The more Naney bites, fights, and hisses the more he loves it. But circumstances and years separate them. When he returns to Solgad will she accept their soul bond? Does she believe the rumors of his life on Odheim? Will he accept the consequences of their tryst from 14 years ago?
V.K. Ludwig writes the kind of Alien Romance stories that I love.
October 22, 2022
I have been unexpectedly impressed with this series. It kept me hooked from start to finish. Did I always love all the characters? Nope, but the author didn’t expect us to. She wrote flawed, morally grey characters from different perspectives and told their story like it is, and I have a lot of respect for that.
This final book fills in a lot of missing pieces to the overall story and also sets up the “Ash Planet Warrior” spin off series in a way I didn’t see coming. I will move on to that series next! Would definitely recommend this whole series.
This final book fills in a lot of missing pieces to the overall story and also sets up the “Ash Planet Warrior” spin off series in a way I didn’t see coming. I will move on to that series next! Would definitely recommend this whole series.
December 31, 2022
What a ride
I liked this book because it gave a HEA that I didn't expect. One of the best parts of this series is the interactions between characters from other books in the series. I haven't read many alien invasion series but this one I'm really excited about the next book.
I'm not a grammar dictator so I can overlook some "errors" but there's not many (I think).
Take a chance and enjoy the series. From the beginning otherwise, you will miss out on characters growth and series continuity.
I liked this book because it gave a HEA that I didn't expect. One of the best parts of this series is the interactions between characters from other books in the series. I haven't read many alien invasion series but this one I'm really excited about the next book.
I'm not a grammar dictator so I can overlook some "errors" but there's not many (I think).
Take a chance and enjoy the series. From the beginning otherwise, you will miss out on characters growth and series continuity.
June 9, 2021
The two main characters are enemies. And yet there is an undeniable, reluctant attraction. She’s stubborn and a warrior. He’s also a fierce warrior, tormented by insomnia. There is a lot of resentment, hatred and bigotry on both sides, making everything more stressful and difficult to deal with. And it doesn’t help that the author threw in twists and turns they have to navigate through either. They are both in for a world of hurt.
June 17, 2021
This is the 5th book in this sci-fi series and it can be read as a stand-alone. Zavis was fighting a war on Solgad when he discovers one of the female warriors on the other side is his mate. Each night some comes to kill him only to spend a heated night with him. Now a decade later he has come back looking for her. Fast-paced read with great world building, loads of drama, suspense and sizzling chemistry. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.
June 24, 2021
Really loved the characters
Just because this book is written as a sci-fi alien book, don't count it out as a category not worth the time to read. Some of these stories, this author in particular, are really interesting, compelling stories that can tug at your heart and bring real issues of prejudice and political horrors into a place where the struggles of these issues are seen clearly and may actually turn hearts around. I just loved the writing and the characters!
Just because this book is written as a sci-fi alien book, don't count it out as a category not worth the time to read. Some of these stories, this author in particular, are really interesting, compelling stories that can tug at your heart and bring real issues of prejudice and political horrors into a place where the struggles of these issues are seen clearly and may actually turn hearts around. I just loved the writing and the characters!
July 31, 2021
Alien love with no humans involved! This book was full of surprise for me. Zavis finds his way back to Solgad to search for Naney. They really hate him there. He discovers secrets and finds out what he needs to be happy. The story is gritty and full of emotional confrontations, but it held my interest throughout the whole book. I was surprised by the ending, it was different than how I imagined it might go but still completely satisfying.
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