Trickster Caught

Gladiators of the Vagabond #2

by Robin O'Connor

A secret stowaway, an alien shapeshifter, a truth which could destroy them both...

Chloe

My entire life has been one disaster after another. And now I'm stuck in the cargo bay of a spaceship, hoping the hulking great alien shapeshifter who just walked in won't find me.

Except… When he makes a sound of pain I have to look. Of course I do. Abs that go on for days, intriguing lines marking a path down his body, and more injuries than I can count. I feel sympathy and fear and desire.

He lets me in on his darkest secret just to gain my trust, now what do I do with it? I want to run and hide. I want to run straight into his arms.

Kitan

I can’t get over those blue eyes. This little stowaway, I want her.

I want to protect her, take her, love her, fly with her. But first she has to trust me. So I show her the one thing I’ve hidden all my life, but sharing my secret comes at a prize.

Her nav-augment is degrading, killing her slowly unless we do something. Somehow I need to find a way to get her the replacements she need. I’d do anything to save her life, anything. Even if it means I end up back home, trapped in hellish servitude.


This steamy sci-fi romance series follows the stories of the Gladiators of the Vagabond who revolted against their master and took control of their own ship, their own lives. All for a chance at love and a HEA.

Genres: Romance, Aliens, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy

266 pages, ebook

Published June 10, 2022

About the author

Robin O’Connor is an author who loves to write about strong, alien heroes and quirky heroines. She lives with her husband and son along with a couple hundred books (hers, definitely hers) and probably just as many computer parts (her husband’s). Her house therefore probably resembles something like a mad-scientist’s lab on any given day.

She’s always working on at least a half dozen projects at the same time but is never without time to answer questions, write up funny extras or hang out in her group online to speak with her readers.

Join her mailing list ➜ https://robinoconnor.ink/

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Reviews

[Lulye · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR : Recommend if you like competence porn mixed with the usual kind of porn. Not that this lacks plot in any way. There’s shifter-aliens, romance, action, betrayal, random acts of kindness AND destruction of corrupt systems on alien planets. No major cliffhangers but some minor unresolved plot points are to be resolved in the next book. – Virgin heroine and light torture scenes may warrant a content warning for some.

***

Another Robin O’Connor book, another great heroine. Kitan is a sweet hero and all but Chloe stole the show. She’s such a quiet force. Easy going and rolls with the punches. This book reminded me (in the best way possible) that strength doesn’t always have to mean that you can beat up the baddies. It can also mean you’re cool under pressure, you listen to your instincts and you make decisions with foresight and logic.

As always, we’re treated to cute interpersonal relationships in addition to the lovable characters. The meals they eat together are fun to be a part of. I love the fact that they’re building a life on a spaceship. Reminds me of the Corsairs Series by Ruby Dixon

To be completely honest, I was seriously considering a lower star rating because this is my least favorite of the series so far –which doesn’t mean much since the 1st and 3rd books were 5-star reads for me. Here’s the thing, I found this one hard to read around the middle, feeling as trapped as the protagonists. Eventually I was pulled back in with the turn of events.

However, looking back at my entire experience, I can’t get over how much I loved Chloe ! THANK YOU, Robin O’Connor, for creating a character who makes smart decisions like actually never letting a life-saving object out of sight instead of misplacing it at the most critical moment of the story. Thank you for not making me hate the characters that I’ve loved in the previous books. Also, thank you for writing an alien gladiator who actually cries in the book.

Also, I don’t deny that I’m a bit biased because I’m obsessed with the series in general. I just can’t get enough of the wholesome parts. Maybe they’re so fulfilling because to get here, the characters had to go through so much. Or maybe it’s because it’s found family, a.k.a my achilles' heel.

***

This is my honest review (I really am obsessed with these books) and I want to thank the author for her generosity in providing me with a review copy of her book. Thanks to StoryOrigin for providing the platform.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trickster Caught by Robin O’Connor
Gladiators of the Vagabond #2

Swept into this wonderful alien sci-fi world once again – perfect story to take me away! Loved the first book and loved this one, too. Can’t wait to read book three!

What I liked:
* Rejoining the gladiators…great group of “brothers”
* Chloe: human slave since childhood, navigator on a pirate spaceship, has faulty implant, death soon if not fixed, hiding for years, there for Kitan in a bond that transcends all
* Kitan: alien shapeshifter, gladiator slave for years, escaped with others on the ship, freedom is important to him, he will do anything for his mate Chloe
* The plot, pace, setting, and writing
* Seeing how Abby and Ziame are doing
* Wondering if Tori and Sunder will become more than friends
* The way the gladiators and those with them have bonded and are there for one another
* How Chloe and Kitan meet, their developing relationship, and how perfect they are for one another
* Getting to know the characters better
* Caring about the characters and hoping they will all remain free and find their mates
* Being invested in the outcome of the story
* Wondering what will happen to Kitan’s siblings and the little girl one of them is worried about
* That I could dislike those that were evil and wish Karma would zap them
* That it took me away and made me think and care and left me happy at the end
* Being eager to read the next book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – and there was more than one
* Thinking about greedy evil parents that put themselves before the benefit of their children
* Knowing that there are evil people in the world we live in that are mirror images of those in this story

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Sanne Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to end it is captivating. Read it 3 times and another after rereading book 1. If only those words would never end.
If you want to read a gem, start this series because the Pearl has already been written in Beast Unburdend. Trickster Caught, the second installment will certainly leave you salivating and full of jitters ( because seriously this author with every book she has written is like an addiction), waiting for the next wonder. This book along with every other thing she writes are along the lines of Bertrice Small, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Haydon, J. D. Robb and J. K. Rowling all thrown in a mix so good. Leaves me to wonder whill she be placed among Nicholas Sparks? In my eyes she has all of it and more.

Want to know why? READ what she has made and given us and you'll be hooked.

[Ilenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing second book to the “Gladiators of the Vagabond “ series. Intriguing characters, well developed plot and easy to follow writing pace full of surprises that leave the reader on the edge of their seat. Worth a read, it immerses you into a sci-fi world and lets you experience the adventures of the characters as if you were there.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fab story for this series and it was so full of action, adventure, drama, emotions and sizzling chemistry. Chloe and Kitan were a fab couple that worked towards trust, sacrificed and had a very steamy romance. I'd recommend reading this series in order to keep up with the overarcing plot and the cast of characters. I loved seeing Chloe and Kitan find their way but I will admit to being on the edge of my seat at times - making this quite the page turning read. Good fun!

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trickster Caught is another engaging read in the Gladiators of the Vagabond series.
The imaginative world building and wonderfully crafted characters in this universe continues to hold and keep the readers interest and expand the storyline as we get to know a new couple human Chloe and very special shifter Kitan. Their story runs through a gamut of emotions as their adventure together bring the well written narrative to life and I enjoyed following along on their surprising, life altering journey. Fantastic Sci-Fi Romance and can’t wait to read more from the author in future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The escaped gladiators have taken hold of a pirate ship where Kitan (H) finds himself with an unexpected woman, Chloe (h), hiding in the cargo hold. Chloe had been the pirates' slave and navigator for several years and is unsure who these new aliens are that have seized the ship. Kitan and Chloe are attracted to one another, and she gradually comes to trust the shapeshifter as their relationship with one another deepens. Chloe's biological nav ports are failing and she'll die soon if she doesn't receive medical treatment. Kitan is willing to do whatever it takes to protect and save her, even if it means he has to return to imprisonment. I liked the story and the characters, and the hot and steamy scenes were good. Lots of action and adventure with plenty of returning characters from book one - best to read books in order to fully understand characters.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book a lot! It had great characters, world-building and a very cute couple. Chloe is a stowaway raised by pirates and Kitan a former gladiator and a pilot. I also found the side characters interesting and would love to know more about them.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful sci-fi romance! Really enjoyed it.. Action, adventure and heartfelt emotion.. Love the connection between Chloe and Kitan!

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this this book. It’s an exciting and intense alien romance story and it has vivid world building and awesome characters. It’s well written and the storyline is easy to read and follows on from the previous book. The gladiators have taken over a ship, unbeknownst to them there is a human female hiding in the cargo bay. Chloe was a slave of the pirates and has been with them for 12 years, since she was only a child. She found by Kitan, who went into the cargo bay to try to force a shift. He’s a kitsune and was badly hurt in the takeover of the ship. One look at Chloe and his pain became insignificant. He’s very protective over her and Chloe has a bond with him from the start, although there’s not really any romance between them for a little bit. The rest of the crew soon realise that Kitan has claimed her though, even if he hasn’t claimed him back yet. Chloe had ports installed in her head in order to navigate the ship for the pirates. When the doc examines her he tells her that they need replacing and soon, he also tells her not to use them. Unfortunately mercenaries attack and in order to get away Chloe needs to use her ports to navigate a way out. Because of this she falls unconscious for a few days and it’s then that she is told she has less than a month before she will die. The race is on then to come up with funds for new ones, find a neurosurgeon and find a way to keep Chloe alive longer than a month in case they can’t get everything in that time. Kitan is distraught, he’s only just found his mate and now he might lose her. There’s more that happens in this story, there’s action, danger, passion, steamy scenes and much more. I highly recommend reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe, the female human lead, was a slave on the spaceship Kitan, the male alien shapeshifter lead, and his escaped gladiator comrades are on. When their ex-masters took over, Chloe hid and remained hidden until Kitan found her by accident. Chloe was the ship’s navigator with capacity to plug into the ship’s computer but her ports are degrading. Kitan has escaped from priestly prison on his home planet and, when the new navigator betrays him, he attempts to bargain his cooperation for replacements ports for Chloe…

This story is dual POV, well written, and a gorgeous tale. I appreciated the mutual sacrifice, with both characters literally willing to die for each other. I enjoyed Chloe’s calm personality and her ability to roll with the punches, especially in light of several revelations through the story. I enjoyed Kitan’s courage and empathised with his anger at the situation he was forced into. I found the relationship development believable, with stress and proximity driving the immediate development of intimacy, plus Kitan’s own instincts and their intimate engagements, which were erotic and meaningful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe has been on the pirate spaceship for many years. She had navigation ports installed to have a usable skill among the crew. That way the crew left her alone. Chloe now has several problems. The spaceship has been taken over by the Krektar and the crew killed. She has been hiding out and her supplies are running out. Now Chloe sees a Sune male in hybrid form change into a fox with three tales in the cargo hold.
Kitan is a gladiator. He and his brother gladiators have escaped from their horrible owner. Now they are onboard a ship that had been captured by the Krektar. There are no survivors. That is until Kitan unknowingly changed forms in front of the human. But he helps her and she begins to feel comfortable around him.
A traitor sees Koran’s three tales and realizes the significance of it. He is forced back to his home planet. Chloe volunteers to go with him.
She needs a surgery to replace the old ports or they will kill her. So she wants to spend her time with Kitan.
Good story with action, adventures, drama, attraction and undeniable chemistry. Kitan and Chloe are destined to be together. Has a HEA.

[Harleem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series by Robin O’Connor. Trickster Caught is the 2nd book in the Gladiators of the Vagabond series.

This book is written from the point of view of both the female and male main characters: Chloe and Kitan. Chloe is a human stowaway. She grew up as a slave on the pirate ship and is slow to trust. But Kitan earns her trust by being kind and patient with her. Kitan is the pilot of the Vagabond. He is an alien shapeshifter who was once an enslaved gladiator who rose up to free himself and his comrades and took command of the Vagabond (read the previous book that story). His instincts tell him to protect her, yet he’s the one in danger. All because of a traitor…

The plot develops naturally while it follows the developing relationship between Chloe and Kitan. Yet it left me wanting to know more about what went on behind the scenes with the other characters while their story was developing. There are details about the Ferai Beast I desperately want to know! I continue to await the next installment in hopes to find out more…

I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[AuDHD_Anxiety_Smurf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as compelling as book one but still a very enjoyable read. This is the story if Kitan, a “true shifter”, meaning he can truly shape shift to any form, yet having a choice of three as his own. He finds a young human, a slave, hiding in the loading bay of their Vagabond star cruiser. She had worked for the pirates who previously owned the ship and did not know that it had violently changed hands. She joins the ragtag crew, as she has worked as a slave navigator and is highly skilled. Kitan is the pilot. They become extremely close, before being betrayed by someone to the Sune authorities, who want Kitan back. They siren some time at the temple on Sune before escaping and being freed by Kitan’s brother. Reunited with the Vagabond crew, Chloe, the former slave, has her lifesaving surgery and they are overjoyed to once again have a future together. It is a fun series. I find I’m enjoying the blend of sci-fi and fantasy, although all the aliens are more humanoid (especially in their genitalia) than I would have expected.

[Martha Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a 5 star book. Trickster Caught is the second in the Gladiators of the Vagabond series by Robin O'Connor. Ms. O'Connor has great abilities telling stories that draw you in and keep you turning the page to see what happens next. What she doesn't have is a good editor to clean up and tighten the story.
I've read quite a few of her books and I always make correction notes because I am a pedant that way, lol. But this book took the prize in the number of corrections needed and I didn't even correct the mildly incorrect grammar problems, just the blatant and disturbing ones.
All that being said, the story of Kitan and Chloe's romance is so compelling you gloss over the problems just to see how it ends.
One thing I found upsetting was the ship that kept trailing them. You want them to be friends, not the bad guys. Maybe it will happen later.
I borrowed this book from KU and recommend it even with all the problems noted.

[Ms G Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trickster Caught

Kitan an Alien, is an escaped slave. Kitan and Chole comes across each other in the hold of the ship he lives on. She is a stowaway that has been on the ship since the slaves liberated themselves. Kitan was trying to shift to his general body position secretly, against doctors orders when his incredible hearing discloses her hiding place. Chole, a human, though tiny, and very wary holds a lot of secrets. Kitan also has a secret and is wary of people because he does not want to be recaptured. This story hits a lot of painful buttons regarding inhumane practices. But it also gives us family found, family lost, some violence, betrayal, kidnapping unusual coupling and couples, sensual treats and caring relationships. Yeah.

[Chrissy Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **4 Stars — Space, sass, and swoon-worthy chaos!**

If you loved *Galaxy Gladiators* by Alana Khan, you’re going to feel right at home with *Trickster Caught*! Robin O’Connor delivers a cosmic cocktail of action, adventure, and romance—with enough tension to keep your pulse racing and your heart sighing.

The story is fast-paced, filled with danger and chemistry, and the characters are so well developed that you can practically hear them bickering (and flirting) across the galaxy. My only small gripe? The happily-ever-after zoomed by a little too fast—like someone hit warp speed before I was ready to leave.

Still, this one’s a blast—equal parts thrill ride and tender romance. A perfect pick for when you want alien antics with emotional heat. 🚀💕

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe and Kitan

This is a great, well written, SciFi, Alien/Human romance. There are a few editorial errors but they do not affect the story. This series should be read in order but each story is complete. The main characters are interesting, more developed, and likable. Chloe was taken from Earth as a child and kept by pirates. She dressed and hid her body to keep pretending to be a child. Kitan was badly injured while taking over their ship and while trying to shift, he found Chloe. There is a lot of action and some angst along with the growing love. Read what Kitan’s early life was like as a ‘Priest’.

[Zelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trickster indeed.

You are hooked right from the beginning. Love that this book picks up from where book 1 left off! Kitan and Choles story was one for the making. The twist you don't see coming and characters you want to punch in the face! Yup definitely wanted to punch them in the face 👊! lol

The characters are so well developed, the storyline is exciting and keeps you on your toes. The healing they both worked through and that they helped each other with it was perfectly written. Definitely had my emotions in a twist and had to get my tissues out.

A series you want to read in order and looking forward to the next book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sci-fi romance was a fun, action packed ride. The world building was competent if not very original, but there was plenty of action, danger, and high stakes to keep the pacing quick. I read this novel in one sitting. The heroine was deeply sympathetic and the hero was a swoony alpha hero type, in the romance novel sense. I had a blast reading this sci-fi romance. I look forward to reading the next book in this series when it releases. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and I can’t wait until I read the next story. This story was really exciting and it had me enthralled from the very start of the story to the very last page. The characters Chloe and Kitan, were brilliant and really engaged the audience in my opinion. I absolutely loved that they were able to escape their planet of imprisonment after being betrayed by one of his own kind. This book was brilliant and leads to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series.

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review with my honest and fair opinion.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book after finishing the first one in this series I could not wait to read the next one and it did not let me down at all. I loved Kitan from the first book and I loved meeting Chloe. Their relationship together was soo beautiful and I think healing for both of them. The story was soo emotional and inspiring, I enjoyed reading it soo much and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone at all who likes alien romances.

[Killeena Savola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stowaway (Chloe) has lived her life on the ship with pirates acting unassuming, or hiding in plain sight to not be bothered by them. Knowing that the ship was taken over by Krektar Chloe stays out of sight. Kitan once a slave to his old owner being forced in the gladiator’s pits is free to do what he wants. Finding a stowaway changes everything for him in good ways. Being betrayed by one of his own kind sends him a tail spin. These two will work together to make it work in the end and beat all the wrong doings that way brought to them.

[Jill K. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book was so good that I thought I was almost done (not paying attention to the %) and then bam! there's a whole lot more! I loved reading about Kitan and Chloe, even though I thought they were both a little naïve at some points in the story. I was disappointed with the ending, not because of the ending, but because it ended! I loved this couple. I didn't have issues with lines being repeated like I did in the first book and was completely wrapped up in these two. I did wish I could find out more about what happened with the brother, but that's a query for another day.

[Shana W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book as well as the series as a whole.  Chloe and Kitan have great chemistry and they are so supportive of each other.  I also like all the gladiators and the other females on the spaceship. Robin O'Connor is excellent at world building and character descriptions. The story has romance, steam, action and suspense, and it is easy to read and hard to put down. I absolutely need to read the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading this in its entirety I am still not sure what the purpose of the priests are and why the force them to change. Also, if there is nothing to hold over them, how do they force them to do these things. There are so many, nope that’s not gonna happen moments. Then you top that off with the ability to use a jack on someone’s head to fly a ship but somehow don’t have the ability to restore sight???? Weirdly bad, not thought out enough.

[Zeinab Dh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read and review. I enjoyed reading this one. It is not what some may like because of the steamy sex scenes still amazing work. I liked that it was a mix of the characters as in humans shifter and aliens. The story is filled with romance action suspense thrill sparks that fly everywhere between many. The sex scenes may not be for a lot but they are intence I like those since I also read the BDSM KIND. I do recommend it and cant wait for the rest awesome series.

[Amber Miller]

Too Many Writing Errors

I really, really wanted to like this, but there were just too many grammatical errors. Run on sentences, sentences that should've actually been one but split into two by an errant period, no division (aka: a new paragraph) when a new person was talking, and even the flow of conversation was off-putting. Very distracting and ruined the whole book. It read like a bad fanfic. So disappointed.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book Kitan (freed gladiator who was an abused “priest” on his home planet) and Chloe (human who lived with space pirates for years as their plug in nav who’s brain is literally melting as a result) are a great pair with chemistry and a set of issues to overcome that are significant and also in some ways unexpected. I liked how they supported and related to one another and the plot was good. I’d have liked more banter somewhere in the series if not directly between the MCs.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, absolutely loved this book couldn't put it down, interesting world with lots of emotions and characters that draw you in the story and make you feel their pain. The second book in the series is as good as the first one, looking forward for the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.