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Intersolar Union #3
Vigilance
Still reeling from the upending of her life, Dr Amelia Ahlberg finds herself the sole physician of the new human colony on Yaspur. Luckily, a medical delegate was assigned to help her settle in after the trauma of the Paramour. When a young girl falls ill because of a common flower, Amelia begs him to take her on his research excursions into the jungle. She needs to learn how to care for her people first hand.
But Ezraji Zarabi is confusing. He's erratic, distant, and increasingly hot-headed. He refuses, leaving her to fend for herself as the stress threatens to crack the good doctor's reality. When she starts to hallucinate, she has to wonder...Is it her? Or is it him?
Amelia's instincts are put to the test. Does she trust the one person that's always there when she needs him, or does she question why he's there in the first place?
But Ezraji Zarabi is confusing. He's erratic, distant, and increasingly hot-headed. He refuses, leaving her to fend for herself as the stress threatens to crack the good doctor's reality. When she starts to hallucinate, she has to wonder...Is it her? Or is it him?
Amelia's instincts are put to the test. Does she trust the one person that's always there when she needs him, or does she question why he's there in the first place?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
87 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Etta Pierce
17 books299 followersI'm a hopeless academic and science fiction romance author. I write intelligent women, complicated men, and slow burn steam! My first series, the Intersolar Union Series, is ongoing with many more series and books planned for the future. Strap in for the long haul, guys, I'm here to stay and crank out some good romantic fiction!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
January 24, 2024
WHERE WAS THE ALL THE SPICE? 🤭 there’s one good scene at the 80 percent mark and it’s GOOD im still trying to imagine where all the tentacles ended up 🧐
This series is great!! the world building and character development are top tier especially for an alien romance. The aliens are REAL alien they are nothing like humans whatsoever. So far all books in series have been slllooowwww burns so don’t be expecting anything major. I love the tension and angst buildup but wish there were more scenes.
I would ONLY recommend this series to a advanced alien romance reader if there is such a thing 🤣🤣
This series is great!! the world building and character development are top tier especially for an alien romance. The aliens are REAL alien they are nothing like humans whatsoever. So far all books in series have been slllooowwww burns so don’t be expecting anything major. I love the tension and angst buildup but wish there were more scenes.
I would ONLY recommend this series to a advanced alien romance reader if there is such a thing 🤣🤣
December 13, 2022
This third instalment upped the ante considerably and is my favourite so far. It definitely had a darker flavour than its predecessors mostly I think because of all of the suppressed trauma that is being processed internally by Amelia and others at the human colony. This takes place in that colony and involves two characters we have previously met Dr Amelia Ahlberg former prisoner and research subject aboard the liberated paramour and Ezraji Zarabi a medical delegate and toxicologist assigned to assist her at the new medical centre.
Ezraji is a Shilpakaari a semi-aquatic species that have tendrils atop their heads. These tendrils are tentacle-like and seem to have a mind of their own there an extension of the owner and very sensitive to outside stimuli. The males of this species also have four arms and an extra thumb. They have mating instincts which are very unique and the male kind of imprints on a female though this, unfortunately, is an affliction only they succumb to and in their society, it seems like the females have all of the power.
I loved how other Ezraji seemed and how much of a slave he became to his instincts his control was seriously threatened by becoming lost to Amelia’s coils as it’s referred to. Amelia herself had no clue that Ezraji was even feeling this way a fact he felt deeply ashamed of.
This one deals with a lot of repressed emotions and hidden trauma Amelia thinks she’s fine until suddenly she isn’t. When she is targeted by an outside force the floodgates open and once again Amelia finds herself floundering at first blaming her past experiences for her increasing paranoia but eventually and nearly too late realising that what is occurring is very real and not in her head at all. Worse she mistakenly points the finger at the one person she was coming to rely on and trust her colleague and friend Ezraji.
Ezraji really goes to bat for Amelia and when he discovers the extent of her trauma and past experiences he’s horrified. He wants to protect her even if she may never be ready to trust again. He’s then shocked but also ecstatic to discover she wants him right back even if it may be temporary he’ll take what’s offered.
Got to say those intimate scenes between them were so incredibly sexy definitely worth the wait. What Ezraji can do with a tentacle well let’s just say he’s sure creative. I have a definite soft spot for him that’s for sure and Ezraji literally wears the proof of his devotion proudly his battle scars a sign that he will do whatever he needs to protect Amelia from any future harm.
So we also had more action and intrigue in this one there’s more of an overreaching story arc accumulating and the story is definitely expanding. I’m intrigued to see where this all heads. As in previous books, this was well-written and imaginative with excellent world creation. A series that’s definitely now becoming a firm favourite.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390
January 14, 2024
This is absolutely the best PTSD portrayal that I have ever read. So gripping in its intensity.
Amelia is a soft-hearted doctor who has taken it upon herself to provide medical care for every rescued human on the colony. She is overworked to the point of burnout and desperately needs help from Ezraji.
Ezraji has that obsessive broody boy act down pat. I am in love with the scent bonding for his species and the interesting dynamic it brings into play. Pierce continues to impress with her world building, complete with complex cultures, species, and issues.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: abusive medical experimentation, stalking, PTSD, flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, SA (off page, side character), trafficking (off page), drug abuse (on unwitting party), lethal violence, hallucinations
Amelia is a soft-hearted doctor who has taken it upon herself to provide medical care for every rescued human on the colony. She is overworked to the point of burnout and desperately needs help from Ezraji.
Ezraji has that obsessive broody boy act down pat. I am in love with the scent bonding for his species and the interesting dynamic it brings into play. Pierce continues to impress with her world building, complete with complex cultures, species, and issues.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: abusive medical experimentation, stalking, PTSD, flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, SA (off page, side character), trafficking (off page), drug abuse (on unwitting party), lethal violence, hallucinations
November 6, 2024
4.5/5 but I’m round to five. Realistically, if they had sex more than once this would have been 15/5. I’m an Etta Pierce stan now everything they write is so unsettling.
Regardless, this book had chills down my spine. I thought that the way that Pierce dealt with the paranoia and SLIGHT body horror was extremely well done. I'm such a coward and this was the perfect amount. I read somewhere that the first three books of this series are calm and then the rest of the books get darker, so I guess I'll find out.
Regardless, this book had chills down my spine. I thought that the way that Pierce dealt with the paranoia and SLIGHT body horror was extremely well done. I'm such a coward and this was the perfect amount. I read somewhere that the first three books of this series are calm and then the rest of the books get darker, so I guess I'll find out.
October 24, 2023
Book 1 is still my favorite but I really enjoyed this one too! I love the tentacle-ish things on the hero, it made for some very interesting scenes between the hero and heroine. I love when the hero has to suffer, and he is suuuffering in this one. It was great! He is just overcome with his want for the heroine. There is a ton of pining and he is just miserable until she chooses him and its perfection. I was a little peeved at him for not being more honest with her. She didn't find out until the end what his true purpose was, to find a human woman and attempt to coil with her. It felt like a huge betrayal that he didn't tell her sooner. After she found out, I would have loved more of a grovel from the hero. I loved his obsession with her, though. This one also covered some really tough topics, but I feel like the author handled it well. The heroine had PTSD from her time on the Paramour. We also saw some brief flashes of her torture. It all felt very real and horrifying.
Also, I do not like aavar, at all. I just get bad vibes about the dude. He seems really sketchy and smarmy and just an overall asshole. I thought for sure it would be revealed at the end that he was involved in all of the shenanigans but I was wrong! He didn't do anything specifically, I just got vibes. Also idk how i feel about Lokurian giving Rosy drugs in the epilogue?! Excited to see what's next!
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Read #2:
I liked Aavar a lot better this time. It helped me to think of him as flirtatious and wiley(is that the word?) instead of a smarmy asshole lol. I also enjoyed the book more this time, and the hero's actions didn't bug me as much. This one was so sinister and creepy with Amelia's hallucinations. Love it!
Also, I do not like aavar, at all. I just get bad vibes about the dude. He seems really sketchy and smarmy and just an overall asshole. I thought for sure it would be revealed at the end that he was involved in all of the shenanigans but I was wrong! He didn't do anything specifically, I just got vibes. Also idk how i feel about Lokurian giving Rosy drugs in the epilogue?! Excited to see what's next!
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Read #2:
I liked Aavar a lot better this time. It helped me to think of him as flirtatious and wiley(is that the word?) instead of a smarmy asshole lol. I also enjoyed the book more this time, and the hero's actions didn't bug me as much. This one was so sinister and creepy with Amelia's hallucinations. Love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2022
That ending has me curious…very curious.
This one was much darker but had a very sweet romance. I enjoyed it very much but right now the first two are my favorites. Overall though, this series is becoming one of my favorite series of all time. I cannot gush about them enough. Part romance, part thriller?? Like it’s fantastic.
This one was much darker but had a very sweet romance. I enjoyed it very much but right now the first two are my favorites. Overall though, this series is becoming one of my favorite series of all time. I cannot gush about them enough. Part romance, part thriller?? Like it’s fantastic.
January 10, 2024
This third book is darker and more romance centered than the first two. It didn’t work as well for me, but I still enjoyed the story. I expected more space opera with romance. Hopefully that vibe is back with the next book.
July 2, 2025
Wow, VIGILANCE was way darker and more intense than the first two books in this series but I loved the wild ride! The story pivots to Yaspur where the human refugees are trying to settle in and while this was still heavily science fiction romance it also took a turn into horror and thriller.
There was so much intensity to Amelia's POV chapters and Etta Pierce did such a fantastic job bringing readers along on Amelia's journey; so well that I felt like I was getting just as paranoid. I admired Amelia's resilience and strength, but I also appreciated seeing her hardships and the way she struggled; it made her character feel more real.
With this book, we got to explore a new alien species, the Shilpakaari, and it was really interesting to learn about their culture and their mating rituals, which were... very interesting. It was much more primal and obsessive and fueled by pheromones. The MMC, Ezraji, was really thrown for a loop when he ended up in Amelia's "coil" (mating call) but underneath all the angst it was obvious that Ezraji was a soft-hearted and gentle man. He just wanted to protect and care for Amelia in whatever way she would allow.
Amelia and Ezraji had a slow burn romance that included a lot of ups and downs as they navigated their different dating and mating practices as well as the sinister haunting Amelia was going through. While the eventual spice hit strongly (hello 4 hands and tentacles) we got less flirting and banter leading up to it compared to Olivia and Atarian's romance. That's not to say these two didn't have chemistry, because they did, but it was more muted under the weight of everything else going on.
Outside the romance, I'm obsessed with the world Pierce is creating and the overarching story she's weaving. It's so engaging and there are so many characters that I want to see stories for. I can't wait to see how everything will progress and what will happen next.
Content Warning: past human trafficking; flashbacks to torture via medical experimentation; on-page PTSD, anxiety, hallucinations, and a psychotic breakdown; mating symptoms that mirror a drug withdrawal
There was so much intensity to Amelia's POV chapters and Etta Pierce did such a fantastic job bringing readers along on Amelia's journey; so well that I felt like I was getting just as paranoid. I admired Amelia's resilience and strength, but I also appreciated seeing her hardships and the way she struggled; it made her character feel more real.
With this book, we got to explore a new alien species, the Shilpakaari, and it was really interesting to learn about their culture and their mating rituals, which were... very interesting. It was much more primal and obsessive and fueled by pheromones. The MMC, Ezraji, was really thrown for a loop when he ended up in Amelia's "coil" (mating call) but underneath all the angst it was obvious that Ezraji was a soft-hearted and gentle man. He just wanted to protect and care for Amelia in whatever way she would allow.
Amelia and Ezraji had a slow burn romance that included a lot of ups and downs as they navigated their different dating and mating practices as well as the sinister haunting Amelia was going through. While the eventual spice hit strongly (hello 4 hands and tentacles) we got less flirting and banter leading up to it compared to Olivia and Atarian's romance. That's not to say these two didn't have chemistry, because they did, but it was more muted under the weight of everything else going on.
Outside the romance, I'm obsessed with the world Pierce is creating and the overarching story she's weaving. It's so engaging and there are so many characters that I want to see stories for. I can't wait to see how everything will progress and what will happen next.
Content Warning: past human trafficking; flashbacks to torture via medical experimentation; on-page PTSD, anxiety, hallucinations, and a psychotic breakdown; mating symptoms that mirror a drug withdrawal
May 6, 2024
Did Martin Scorsese direct this book?? Because… holy crap. The chokehold that this book had on me… Is this book drugs?
A KU alien smut book has ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS being this well-written. I’m just trying to have a fun little time over here; not get sucked into an engrossing, page-turning, unputdownable, stay-up-all-night-reading alien romance MASTERPIECE. Okay??
Just a “doctor lady human abducted from earth, settling into her safe-haven space-colony with the other abducted humans because they can’t return to earth, flirting with her hot alien doctor coworker” story? I DON’T THINK SO. This book was so twisty. The plot was completely blowing my mind. The romance was just.. 😳🥹🥰
Plus, the man had four arms and also tentacles.. wherever your mind just went—the answer is yes 🥵
The world building was excellent, again. The characterization—out of this world. Even something as simple as how Swiss German our heroine was; the cadence of her dialogue, her mannerisms, the way she approached her work as a doctor.. everything.
A KU alien smut book has ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS being this well-written. I’m just trying to have a fun little time over here; not get sucked into an engrossing, page-turning, unputdownable, stay-up-all-night-reading alien romance MASTERPIECE. Okay??
Just a “doctor lady human abducted from earth, settling into her safe-haven space-colony with the other abducted humans because they can’t return to earth, flirting with her hot alien doctor coworker” story? I DON’T THINK SO. This book was so twisty. The plot was completely blowing my mind. The romance was just.. 😳🥹🥰
Plus, the man had four arms and also tentacles.. wherever your mind just went—the answer is yes 🥵
The world building was excellent, again. The characterization—out of this world. Even something as simple as how Swiss German our heroine was; the cadence of her dialogue, her mannerisms, the way she approached her work as a doctor.. everything.
January 22, 2025
This one definitely upped the dark factor as the heroine was abducted. But like, it went places I wasn't expecting and it did give thriller elements which was great for mixing things up.
I'm having such a hard time believing though that the dudes didn't realize the humans would be traumatized. They are "refugees" off a ship called Paramour... like??? So, wow yeah that bit was fucked up and because I assumed they knew I was NOT expecting everyone's reaction.
Aavar is a cutie and I'm looking forward to reading his and Bree's book.
I'm having such a hard time believing though that the dudes didn't realize the humans would be traumatized. They are "refugees" off a ship called Paramour... like??? So, wow yeah that bit was fucked up and because I assumed they knew I was NOT expecting everyone's reaction.
Aavar is a cutie and I'm looking forward to reading his and Bree's book.
January 5, 2025
Vigilance is book 3 in the Intersolar Union series...and I think it could be read as a standalone. But I recommend reading the series in order.
Now that the humans have established their colony on Yaspur, Dr. Amelia Ahlberg is the resident human doctor and her colleague Ezraji Zarabi is an alien medical researcher...who has a mane of tendrils. And yes, she tells him about Medusa 😂
So this book completely kicked my ass. It started off so cute, with Amelia and Ezra's friends to lovers romance. But then Amelia starts experiencing...weird creepy feelings. She begins to think she has a stalker. Is she being stalked for real? Is she hallucinating? Or is this PTSD? The author kind of broke my mind here because I legitimately felt like I was Amelia. I was just as scared and confused as her. It was so freaking creepy??? I had literal goosebumps 😱
I know I'm making this book seem like a horror, and to be honest, that portion of the story was legitimately horrifying. Like I was actually scared and paranoid. But that just goes to show just how good of a writer Etta Pierce is. Because even though I was scared shitless, I also fell so hard for Ezra. This book made me equally scared and lovesick 😂 Idk how else to describe it 😂
Anyway, this book got me deep in my feels. The extent to which Ezra went to protect Amelia had me clutching my chest. Like...THIS is romance!! And once again, we have a couple who matches each other's freaks. Amelia is actually obsessed with how Ezra is obsessed with her. She matches his freak. And I love it.
The overarching plotline that began in Resilience continues here and there's one revelation that shook me! I'm once again so shocked at how this series gives me the best of both worlds: excellent romance AND plot. I kind of have an idea of who the villain might be...but I'm also hoping I'm wrong about it.
I also read the extended epilogue Diversification and omg please read it! You can download it from the author's website. Vigilance does give us a really good slow burn payoff, but Diversification will have you SWEATING with your eyes wide open 🔥😳 It also gives us a hint for a future couple 👀
✅ Friends to lovers
✅ Science nerds
✅ Alien hero x human heroine
✅ Workplace romance
✅ Alien jungle planet
✅ He has tentacles
✅ Pheromones
✅ Breeding kink
Now that the humans have established their colony on Yaspur, Dr. Amelia Ahlberg is the resident human doctor and her colleague Ezraji Zarabi is an alien medical researcher...who has a mane of tendrils. And yes, she tells him about Medusa 😂
So this book completely kicked my ass. It started off so cute, with Amelia and Ezra's friends to lovers romance. But then Amelia starts experiencing...weird creepy feelings. She begins to think she has a stalker. Is she being stalked for real? Is she hallucinating? Or is this PTSD? The author kind of broke my mind here because I legitimately felt like I was Amelia. I was just as scared and confused as her. It was so freaking creepy??? I had literal goosebumps 😱
I know I'm making this book seem like a horror, and to be honest, that portion of the story was legitimately horrifying. Like I was actually scared and paranoid. But that just goes to show just how good of a writer Etta Pierce is. Because even though I was scared shitless, I also fell so hard for Ezra. This book made me equally scared and lovesick 😂 Idk how else to describe it 😂
Anyway, this book got me deep in my feels. The extent to which Ezra went to protect Amelia had me clutching my chest. Like...THIS is romance!! And once again, we have a couple who matches each other's freaks. Amelia is actually obsessed with how Ezra is obsessed with her. She matches his freak. And I love it.
The overarching plotline that began in Resilience continues here and there's one revelation that shook me! I'm once again so shocked at how this series gives me the best of both worlds: excellent romance AND plot. I kind of have an idea of who the villain might be...but I'm also hoping I'm wrong about it.
I also read the extended epilogue Diversification and omg please read it! You can download it from the author's website. Vigilance does give us a really good slow burn payoff, but Diversification will have you SWEATING with your eyes wide open 🔥😳 It also gives us a hint for a future couple 👀
✅ Friends to lovers
✅ Science nerds
✅ Alien hero x human heroine
✅ Workplace romance
✅ Alien jungle planet
✅ He has tentacles
✅ Pheromones
✅ Breeding kink
November 10, 2022
Soooo good!!
This series is soo good!! And wow!!! I thought the first two books were the best but boy oh boy!! Intrigue, fighting, addiction, smexy times….and wow the world building and getting more details about what happened on the slave ship!! This book drew me in and caught me up!! I could not put it down.
This series is soo good!! And wow!!! I thought the first two books were the best but boy oh boy!! Intrigue, fighting, addiction, smexy times….and wow the world building and getting more details about what happened on the slave ship!! This book drew me in and caught me up!! I could not put it down.
June 4, 2025
4 ⭐️/2 🌶️—Solid continuation of the series with a new couple who had been introduced in the first book.
December 28, 2021
A big thank you to the author for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Equal parts sweet romance and psychological thriller
A huge tonal shift from the first two books and I absolutely loved it! Ezra and Amelia’s story really stands out from our previous couple, and really any other alien romance I’ve read.
Ezra and Amelia are so cute together, and the tension is just as tantalising as in Convergence. With the added psychological elements I was unable to put this down! I was not expecting the thriller elements at all and I was practically screaming at my kindle as I put the pieces together.
Again, the world-building is incredible and so cleverly interwoven throughout the plot. The more I see of this world the more I crave seeing more of it.
Another great read from this author! I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
Equal parts sweet romance and psychological thriller
A huge tonal shift from the first two books and I absolutely loved it! Ezra and Amelia’s story really stands out from our previous couple, and really any other alien romance I’ve read.
Ezra and Amelia are so cute together, and the tension is just as tantalising as in Convergence. With the added psychological elements I was unable to put this down! I was not expecting the thriller elements at all and I was practically screaming at my kindle as I put the pieces together.
Again, the world-building is incredible and so cleverly interwoven throughout the plot. The more I see of this world the more I crave seeing more of it.
Another great read from this author! I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment!
February 21, 2023
Overall, as I suspected, I enjoyed Dr Amelia Ahlberg's story much better than Olivia's. It felt like the good writing had a better chance to shine here and the potential I could see in the cracks behind the main characters in the first two books was definitely more of what I'd been hoping for!
For the most part, this book felt like it was almost masterful in its writing and subtle handling of some delicate subjects as well as the slow build of feelings between Dr Ahlberg and Ezraji.
I thought that the way the reader sees Dr Ahlberg dealing with her own trauma was done pretty well with two major exceptions. Getting bits and pieces of her experience as she remembers it and is trying to deal with it as she faces her new life in the colony was done really well. It helped that we also get some disconcerting observations from Ezraji's point of view. The big exceptions...
First exception: One point felt like it went off the rails a bit, which was when Olivia plays multiple video recordings of the horrible abuse Dr Ahlberg endured while on the Paramour. The videos are played to several male characters and without Dr Ahlberg's knowledge or prior consent. It felt violating and a little too far, unnecessary. As the reader, we've been seeing fragments of this abuse from Dr Ahlberg's point of view the whole book up to this point. While the story reason for this is that Olivia is trying to make a point about how the male characters have been mishandling the human colony, I felt it was 1) unfair to be at Dr Ahlberg's expense AND 2) could have been reined in a little - that it wasn't necessary to do so many scenes or all of the scenes, etc. in order for Olivia's point to be made.
(Sidenote, I was also annoyed at Olivia referring to it as her colony when she's done jack all for the colony, unlike Dr Ahlberg who has been running herself ragged.)
Second exception: The other point where her trauma wasn't handled well was the sex. The sex scene was a little weird in that it didn't quite feel appropriate in timing, action, or intensity for when it takes place and what they do together. It was semi-ruined by them getting interrupted. While not impossible, it didn't feel realistic that Dr Ahlberg would find being watched a turn-on given the nature of her trauma. It was just... weird. Possibly inappropriate and gross in that it was kinda possibly fucked up for her trauma. I feel like it could have been handled differently or more delicately - it could have happened at a different point in the story, they could have talked about it differently before hand, maybe if her trauma and his questionable actions weren't still so damn raw.
Overall, the development and pacing of Dr Ahlberg and Ezraji's relationship was actually great! There were some really sweet and cute moments. It was paced well besides the hella uncomfortable and questionable first time they have sex. It got confusing for awhile there because it got confusing for Dr Ahlberg from her perspective. I liked that the mystery was handled that way as it felt more immersive. We find out Ezraji and apparently all Shilpakaari men are obsessive weirdos but thankfully Ezra has other redeeming qualities.
The overall plotline about the hacker from the previous book and what happens with Dr Ahlberg in this book is NOT solved by the end, which is SO frustrating!
Last but not least, I was NOT a fan of that epilogue.
For the most part, this book felt like it was almost masterful in its writing and subtle handling of some delicate subjects as well as the slow build of feelings between Dr Ahlberg and Ezraji.
I thought that the way the reader sees Dr Ahlberg dealing with her own trauma was done pretty well with two major exceptions. Getting bits and pieces of her experience as she remembers it and is trying to deal with it as she faces her new life in the colony was done really well. It helped that we also get some disconcerting observations from Ezraji's point of view. The big exceptions...
First exception: One point felt like it went off the rails a bit, which was when Olivia plays multiple video recordings of the horrible abuse Dr Ahlberg endured while on the Paramour. The videos are played to several male characters and without Dr Ahlberg's knowledge or prior consent. It felt violating and a little too far, unnecessary. As the reader, we've been seeing fragments of this abuse from Dr Ahlberg's point of view the whole book up to this point. While the story reason for this is that Olivia is trying to make a point about how the male characters have been mishandling the human colony, I felt it was 1) unfair to be at Dr Ahlberg's expense AND 2) could have been reined in a little - that it wasn't necessary to do so many scenes or all of the scenes, etc. in order for Olivia's point to be made.
(Sidenote, I was also annoyed at Olivia referring to it as her colony when she's done jack all for the colony, unlike Dr Ahlberg who has been running herself ragged.)
Second exception: The other point where her trauma wasn't handled well was the sex. The sex scene was a little weird in that it didn't quite feel appropriate in timing, action, or intensity for when it takes place and what they do together. It was semi-ruined by them getting interrupted. While not impossible, it didn't feel realistic that Dr Ahlberg would find being watched a turn-on given the nature of her trauma. It was just... weird. Possibly inappropriate and gross in that it was kinda possibly fucked up for her trauma. I feel like it could have been handled differently or more delicately - it could have happened at a different point in the story, they could have talked about it differently before hand, maybe if her trauma and his questionable actions weren't still so damn raw.
Overall, the development and pacing of Dr Ahlberg and Ezraji's relationship was actually great! There were some really sweet and cute moments. It was paced well besides the hella uncomfortable and questionable first time they have sex. It got confusing for awhile there because it got confusing for Dr Ahlberg from her perspective. I liked that the mystery was handled that way as it felt more immersive. We find out Ezraji and apparently all Shilpakaari men are obsessive weirdos but thankfully Ezra has other redeeming qualities.
The overall plotline about the hacker from the previous book and what happens with Dr Ahlberg in this book is NOT solved by the end, which is SO frustrating!
Last but not least, I was NOT a fan of that epilogue.
May 27, 2022
Vigilance follows Amelia and Ezraji, so it's a different couple from the first two books. Honestly, after reading the small scene at the end of book one about these two... I couldn't wait to read more about them.
Let me just start with the alien species Ezraji is, the Shilpakaari. They're a semi-aquatic race with tentacles instead of hair on their heads. Excuse me, tendrils I should say, sorry Ezra. ^.^ The men have four arms, having evolved for climbing immense aquatic trees, while the women only have two. Their tentacles/tendrils are like little extra limbs they can use to pick things up or do stuff with *waggles eyebrows*. And Ezra's are especially long and lustrous and strong.
In short, this alien hero is immensely sexy and he's sensitive to boot. Which makes it extra fun to see him become more and more possessive and protective of Amelia throughout the story.
And what a story it is, it might SEEM slow built at first but holy Hannah is this story intense. With a scary built up of Amelia thinking she's slowly losing her mind... It's impossible to put this book down once you pick it up.
Highly, highly recommend it. I didn't think it was possible to improve on the first books in this series but Etta Pierce knows how to capture her audience with this one until the very final page. My favorite yet in the series... (I wonder if I'm going to end up saying that about every book? xD I think I just love them all).
Let me just start with the alien species Ezraji is, the Shilpakaari. They're a semi-aquatic race with tentacles instead of hair on their heads. Excuse me, tendrils I should say, sorry Ezra. ^.^ The men have four arms, having evolved for climbing immense aquatic trees, while the women only have two. Their tentacles/tendrils are like little extra limbs they can use to pick things up or do stuff with *waggles eyebrows*. And Ezra's are especially long and lustrous and strong.
In short, this alien hero is immensely sexy and he's sensitive to boot. Which makes it extra fun to see him become more and more possessive and protective of Amelia throughout the story.
And what a story it is, it might SEEM slow built at first but holy Hannah is this story intense. With a scary built up of Amelia thinking she's slowly losing her mind... It's impossible to put this book down once you pick it up.
Highly, highly recommend it. I didn't think it was possible to improve on the first books in this series but Etta Pierce knows how to capture her audience with this one until the very final page. My favorite yet in the series... (I wonder if I'm going to end up saying that about every book? xD I think I just love them all).
September 19, 2023
I enjoy this series! It's alien without being overly complicated. Ezraji is Shilpakaari, a type of alien in this world that looks alien! Amelia is portrayed perfectly as a person suffering from PTSD after being abducted and tortured. Their love is a slow burn, but it happens realistically! She's not suddenly over her trauma and in love. And he's a sweetheart and doesn't force her.
It's set on Yaspur, a moon colony for the humans after the raid on the trafficking ship from the first book. The humans are struggling and learning to live after being freed.
Amelia is a doctor, and she works at a clinic. She is studying hard to find the reactions to different local fauna, helping the humans settle and get used to the aliens while working through her trauma.
Strange things start happening, and she's not sure if the things she's noticing are real or hallucinations.
Ezra works with Amelia as a medical staff member. He is helping research the human anatomy and what's medically safe for humans. He and Amelia find out that what's safe for the Shilpakaari is poisonous to humans. Ezraji enjoys being around Ameila and starts getting attached to her. But he knows she's struggling to come to terms with her new life and doesn't want to be a stressor. But then he coils for her. This is when males of his species biologically crave the females. It's not really a mating frenzy, more like love. But he knows the trauma she faced when captive, and he doesn't want to harm her in any way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
It's set on Yaspur, a moon colony for the humans after the raid on the trafficking ship from the first book. The humans are struggling and learning to live after being freed.
Amelia is a doctor, and she works at a clinic. She is studying hard to find the reactions to different local fauna, helping the humans settle and get used to the aliens while working through her trauma.
Strange things start happening, and she's not sure if the things she's noticing are real or hallucinations.
Ezra works with Amelia as a medical staff member. He is helping research the human anatomy and what's medically safe for humans. He and Amelia find out that what's safe for the Shilpakaari is poisonous to humans. Ezraji enjoys being around Ameila and starts getting attached to her. But he knows she's struggling to come to terms with her new life and doesn't want to be a stressor. But then he coils for her. This is when males of his species biologically crave the females. It's not really a mating frenzy, more like love. But he knows the trauma she faced when captive, and he doesn't want to harm her in any way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
January 6, 2023
I LOVE the SHILPAKAARI.
My mediocre rating is due to my personal preferences.
The h goes through a lot here and her past is also very traumatic. This was very story/plot driven and the romance felt like a very very small part of the story.
Be kind to yourself and check the TW/CW on the author’s website before reading. I’ll be continuing the spin-off since that seems to be more up my alley.
My mediocre rating is due to my personal preferences.
The h goes through a lot here and her past is also very traumatic. This was very story/plot driven and the romance felt like a very very small part of the story.
Be kind to yourself and check the TW/CW on the author’s website before reading. I’ll be continuing the spin-off since that seems to be more up my alley.
May 22, 2022
In this book, we are introduced to some brand new characters and get to see a little more about what happened to the humans that we saved from the trafficking ring that was the focus of book one. We get to see the story of Amelia and Ezraji, who is a new species that we have yet to see before, they both work together in a clinic trying to keep this new colony safe. Though everything is not as it seems and even though they escaped it looks like they are not completely as safe as they believe.
I have no clue where this series is going and that's driving me insane. I started this series 5 days ago and so far I've loved every book. Each character is diverse and complex in their own way. Through the book, we get to see a little bit more of the overall plot of the story unfolding.
I have no clue where this series is going and that's driving me insane. I started this series 5 days ago and so far I've loved every book. Each character is diverse and complex in their own way. Through the book, we get to see a little bit more of the overall plot of the story unfolding.
September 13, 2024
Okay…ish
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others. I didn’t really like or, I guess, connect with the main characters like I hoped I would.
I will be continuing the series because I enjoy the world and I want to keep living in it.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others. I didn’t really like or, I guess, connect with the main characters like I hoped I would.
I will be continuing the series because I enjoy the world and I want to keep living in it.
April 9, 2022
Bit slower than the rist two books but great all the same.
April 19, 2024
2.5 ⭐️s.
Amazing world-building, action packed and engaging plot with very interesting sci-fi elements ! My only complaint is that the romance/relationship dynamic was off, held no interest to me and felt very forced. Also, the mmc Ezraji's personality/actions gave off real weird creep vibes which was definitely not romantic whatsoever YIKES 😬
Amazing world-building, action packed and engaging plot with very interesting sci-fi elements ! My only complaint is that the romance/relationship dynamic was off, held no interest to me and felt very forced. Also, the mmc Ezraji's personality/actions gave off real weird creep vibes which was definitely not romantic whatsoever YIKES 😬
May 6, 2024
Series: Intersolar Union #3
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Dr. Amelia Ahlberg is the sole physician at the new human colony on Yaspur. Luckily, a medical delegate was assigned to help her settle in and learn the ropes of this new advanced technology. But things quickly change for them when a girl falls ill because of a common flower.
This book was a lot darker and intense than the previous books. Amelia is struggling to help her people, learn about the advanced medical options available, and deal with her PTSD from being experimented on. She has a combination of flashbacks and hallucinations that really makes her question everything, including her alien coworker Ezraji Zarabi. Amelia’s POVs were intense and very emotional. Pierce does a great job at portraying her paranoia and fears, so much so that it made my anxiety spike and I had to take a short break to remind myself this is just a book. Amelia was a strong and resilient woman who is determined to survive and seeing her struggle with everything really made her character more lifelike.
“I’ve wanted you a long time, Amelia. You’re sharp-minded, caring, and strong… Even if we never coiled, I’d want you.”
Like the first book, this was a slow burn romance with a lot of new mating rituals that were very interesting. Ezraji is a new type of alien and it was interesting getting to learn about him and his culture. The male Shilipakkari are more obsessive and experience a “coil”, a mating call, that leads to them becoming obsessed and basically addicted to the female's scent and pheromones. When Ezraji realizes he has coiled with Amelia and realizes she isn’t ready for a romantic relationship he tries to avoid her and deal with the coil symptoms by stealing her personal items that smell like her. While this is odd behavior, I wasn’t turned off by it because Ezraji is doing this because he is trying to not pressure Amelia or hurt her. Ezraji was a surprisingly gentle man who just wanted to protect and love Amelia and be loved in return.
“You’re my home, Ezra. Home is forever.”
Ezra and Amelia’s relationship was just a wonderful slow burn that I couldn’t get enough of. I loved watching these two get to know each other and work together to figure out what is going on. On top of this wonderful slow burn romance, Pierce keeps creating a wonderful rich world that I can’t get enough of. I am very interested in learning more about all these different alien cultures and how they interact. I really can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see how much this world grows.
Trigger Warnings: on page near fatal allergic reaction; medical experimentation and drugging; on page flashbacks, PTSD, anxiety, hallucinations, and psychotic breakdown; references to human trafficking; mating symptoms that mirror a drug withdrawal
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Dr. Amelia Ahlberg is the sole physician at the new human colony on Yaspur. Luckily, a medical delegate was assigned to help her settle in and learn the ropes of this new advanced technology. But things quickly change for them when a girl falls ill because of a common flower.
This book was a lot darker and intense than the previous books. Amelia is struggling to help her people, learn about the advanced medical options available, and deal with her PTSD from being experimented on. She has a combination of flashbacks and hallucinations that really makes her question everything, including her alien coworker Ezraji Zarabi. Amelia’s POVs were intense and very emotional. Pierce does a great job at portraying her paranoia and fears, so much so that it made my anxiety spike and I had to take a short break to remind myself this is just a book. Amelia was a strong and resilient woman who is determined to survive and seeing her struggle with everything really made her character more lifelike.
“I’ve wanted you a long time, Amelia. You’re sharp-minded, caring, and strong… Even if we never coiled, I’d want you.”
Like the first book, this was a slow burn romance with a lot of new mating rituals that were very interesting. Ezraji is a new type of alien and it was interesting getting to learn about him and his culture. The male Shilipakkari are more obsessive and experience a “coil”, a mating call, that leads to them becoming obsessed and basically addicted to the female's scent and pheromones. When Ezraji realizes he has coiled with Amelia and realizes she isn’t ready for a romantic relationship he tries to avoid her and deal with the coil symptoms by stealing her personal items that smell like her. While this is odd behavior, I wasn’t turned off by it because Ezraji is doing this because he is trying to not pressure Amelia or hurt her. Ezraji was a surprisingly gentle man who just wanted to protect and love Amelia and be loved in return.
“You’re my home, Ezra. Home is forever.”
Ezra and Amelia’s relationship was just a wonderful slow burn that I couldn’t get enough of. I loved watching these two get to know each other and work together to figure out what is going on. On top of this wonderful slow burn romance, Pierce keeps creating a wonderful rich world that I can’t get enough of. I am very interested in learning more about all these different alien cultures and how they interact. I really can’t wait to read the rest of this series and see how much this world grows.
Trigger Warnings: on page near fatal allergic reaction; medical experimentation and drugging; on page flashbacks, PTSD, anxiety, hallucinations, and psychotic breakdown; references to human trafficking; mating symptoms that mirror a drug withdrawal
December 22, 2023
Frustrating
May have spoilers:
Ok, so, this is a really great science fiction series. It is also a terrible romance and if you are looking for alien smut keep looking. I am hooked on the sci-fi story, but the amount of angst and poor communication from the "romance" frustrates me to no end. I really think these would have been better if the author just skipped trying to make them into romance. As far as smut, this isn't it. There is one steamy scene. One. And he doesn't even kiss her till the last chapter.
May have spoilers:
Ok, so, this is a really great science fiction series. It is also a terrible romance and if you are looking for alien smut keep looking. I am hooked on the sci-fi story, but the amount of angst and poor communication from the "romance" frustrates me to no end. I really think these would have been better if the author just skipped trying to make them into romance. As far as smut, this isn't it. There is one steamy scene. One. And he doesn't even kiss her till the last chapter.
October 25, 2022
Etta crafted a complex, darker romance with book 3 of the Intersolar Union series - and I loved it. This story centers around Dr. Amelia Ahlberg and Ezraji Zarabi, who are both broken in their own ways. Throw in PTSD, secrets, and interspecies communication obstacles ... it's a hard fought love story. It was as haunting as it was delicious.
I think what I love most about Etta's writing is the theme of humanity. What does it mean to be human, and do you have to be human to possess humanity? She writes of alien beings, but it's really about loving someone for WHO they are rather than WHAT they are. No matter our differences, we have the capacity to love those that are different - alien - to us. We can figure it out if we want to. And I think that's beautiful.
I think what I love most about Etta's writing is the theme of humanity. What does it mean to be human, and do you have to be human to possess humanity? She writes of alien beings, but it's really about loving someone for WHO they are rather than WHAT they are. No matter our differences, we have the capacity to love those that are different - alien - to us. We can figure it out if we want to. And I think that's beautiful.
January 2, 2022
Ezraji and Amelia. Both are socially distant, digging deep into their jobs to avoid any relationship. Working together to solve the problems of what plant life is dangerous to humans is bringing them closer together. But can Amelia overcome her panic attacks when she has flashbacks to when she was abducted and the horrors on the Paramour? Can Ezraji help her and thereby possibly gaining the trust of all the other humans that were abducted? This colony was supposed to be a safe haven for the rescued humans. And that's just the beginning. There are so many secrets, twist and turns, and steamy scenes involving his mane. Hold on to your hat, it's a wild, well written tale. And of all the aliens described in all the books I've read- Ezraji would be my choice .
September 24, 2022
This series is incredible. Easily moved into my top series spot after this installment. This is true science fiction romance with high stakes and a deep story. Literary writing style. Vigilance is book 3, part psychological thriller, and begins a long arc of the series (per the author to me in interactions on tiktok).
The FMC is struggling with ptsd and panic attacks from her experiences as a result of being one of the abducted humans in book 1. Hallucinations have her questioning herself and the intentions of her colleague Ezraji. Meanwhile Ezra is struggling with what he feels for her. My heart was in my throat reading this one but dang I love these two together. The romance is very slow burn but the pay off is worth it. They do get their HEA.
The FMC is struggling with ptsd and panic attacks from her experiences as a result of being one of the abducted humans in book 1. Hallucinations have her questioning herself and the intentions of her colleague Ezraji. Meanwhile Ezra is struggling with what he feels for her. My heart was in my throat reading this one but dang I love these two together. The romance is very slow burn but the pay off is worth it. They do get their HEA.
January 9, 2022
I'm loving this series. I thought Thel and Olivia were my favorite couple, and then I got hit with Ezra and Amelia. Wow! The same way I wanted more of Thel and Olivia I want more of Ezra and Amelia. I want more of this world. I love that these books are slow-burn. I love the suspense, because I really can't wait to see what happens next. I need a novella that shows Amelia and Ezra having kids, maybe a collection of novellas that will give us a glimpse of these couples 10 years later. Etta Pierce has created a masterpiece. It's more than a series. It's a saga. We readers need this in audio format, and someone needs to write a movie series centered around these books.
January 12, 2022
Awesome sci fi romantic adventure
The worldbuilding and aliens are fascinating. Amelia's PTSD, as well as the issues of the other survivors, are very believable and well-written. I love the detailed secondary characters and the very real problems that might be found in the flora/fauna of a "human habitable" planet. Some questions from the first two books were answered, but the epilogue introduced a hairy mammoth into the room, and I hope I'm wrong about the villain's identity. I originally read Vigilance in KU, but I bought it, since I will need to reread it more than once.
The worldbuilding and aliens are fascinating. Amelia's PTSD, as well as the issues of the other survivors, are very believable and well-written. I love the detailed secondary characters and the very real problems that might be found in the flora/fauna of a "human habitable" planet. Some questions from the first two books were answered, but the epilogue introduced a hairy mammoth into the room, and I hope I'm wrong about the villain's identity. I originally read Vigilance in KU, but I bought it, since I will need to reread it more than once.
February 12, 2022
Holy slow burn, that was amazing!
I don't think I've ever enjoyed a happy ending as much as I did Amelia and Ezra's. Ezra was just such a sweet soul and the connection between them was just electric. I like that Amelia had a bit more hesitation than Olivia did in regards to being with an alien. I think it is what most of the colony will be like as the series continues. Aavar is freaking hilarious. I love his annoying banter and the way he pines after Bree. I just hope she gives him a chance eventually. I can't wait to continue this series it keeps getting better and better
I don't think I've ever enjoyed a happy ending as much as I did Amelia and Ezra's. Ezra was just such a sweet soul and the connection between them was just electric. I like that Amelia had a bit more hesitation than Olivia did in regards to being with an alien. I think it is what most of the colony will be like as the series continues. Aavar is freaking hilarious. I love his annoying banter and the way he pines after Bree. I just hope she gives him a chance eventually. I can't wait to continue this series it keeps getting better and better
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