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Deridia #7
Drone
Chained.
Forgotten.
Wilful.
Proven useless in the breeding rooms, Gwynn is relegated to the tunnels for punishment. Left to toil—or maybe to die, if no master returns for her. If only she could let herself.
A desperate escape, the barest taste of freedom.
Only to find herself ensnared by another. Not as a thrall. Not as a drone.
But as something else entirely.
-x-
He was helping her. Again. He wanted the best for her, even if her nerves made it difficult to eat as quickly as she should.
“All right,” she murmured, unable to bring herself to look at him, her fingers tangling in the fur in her lap since he’d deprived her of her previous distraction. “So you were waiting for one of us. A slave.”
“No,” Gesper corrected, his voice firmer than it had been. “I already told you that is not your position here.”
Her mouth formed a firm line and she made her eyes meet his. “If you did not come for a slave, then what did you come for?”
He held her gaze, but there was something in him that betrayed his unwillingness to speak it.
But he was going to. For her. Because she insisted.
It was a foreign power she seemed to possess. Maybe that was simply the magic of today, and tomorrow it would flee from her again.
But not yet. And so he made himself answer. Grim-faced and reluctant.
“A wife,” he answered. “I came for a wife. And I found you.”
Forgotten.
Wilful.
Proven useless in the breeding rooms, Gwynn is relegated to the tunnels for punishment. Left to toil—or maybe to die, if no master returns for her. If only she could let herself.
A desperate escape, the barest taste of freedom.
Only to find herself ensnared by another. Not as a thrall. Not as a drone.
But as something else entirely.
-x-
He was helping her. Again. He wanted the best for her, even if her nerves made it difficult to eat as quickly as she should.
“All right,” she murmured, unable to bring herself to look at him, her fingers tangling in the fur in her lap since he’d deprived her of her previous distraction. “So you were waiting for one of us. A slave.”
“No,” Gesper corrected, his voice firmer than it had been. “I already told you that is not your position here.”
Her mouth formed a firm line and she made her eyes meet his. “If you did not come for a slave, then what did you come for?”
He held her gaze, but there was something in him that betrayed his unwillingness to speak it.
But he was going to. For her. Because she insisted.
It was a foreign power she seemed to possess. Maybe that was simply the magic of today, and tomorrow it would flee from her again.
But not yet. And so he made himself answer. Grim-faced and reluctant.
“A wife,” he answered. “I came for a wife. And I found you.”
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2022
20 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Miller
25 books125 followersI am an American by birth and situation, whose heart forever remains in Great Britain. I derive much inspiration from my holidays abroad, and my writing is heavily influenced by the delights of the English and Scottish countryside. My author's journey began in several reimaginings of The Phantom of the Opera where I explore happier endings for our beloved Erik-- hopefully aided by my degrees in psychology. I have a love for fantasy and paranormal romance, as well as the pleasure of a thrilling murder mystery... each of which have begun to creep into my writerly pursuits. When I am not consumed with a novel, I enjoy lavishing affection on my two cats, and working in historical costume design.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 22, 2022
3.5 ***
It was hard to stay focused on the plot. I found it a bit boring with too much of the character's inner dialog.
It was hard to stay focused on the plot. I found it a bit boring with too much of the character's inner dialog.
March 14, 2025
This was fine, but the book’s focus seemed to be on Gwynn’s thoughts and her internal struggles, which could have been fine if there were enough scenes with other characters and her doing things.
Gesper has come down from the mountain to search for a wife. While he’s causing a distraction (and hoping for the women to run so he can pick his wife from them), Gwynn takes that opportunity to free herself from the chain keeping her in the tunnels. For the first time she’s walking around freely in the tunnels and while she wants to get out, she can’t quite believe that this is really happening (I thought that was written well). Since Gwynn is the only woman to come out of the tunnels, Gesper takes her and they adjust to their new situation.
Gesper and Gwynn were fine, but I wanted to see them actually get to know each other and do things with each other. Gesper was patient with Gwynn and didn’t try to push her to be his wife. Gwynn was learning how to do things such as cooking, doing laundry and just surviving outside of the tunnels, however that wasn’t really shown. There were occasional mentions of a mistake or discovery Gwynn would have while learning, but that was it.
The setting and other characters weren’t shown either so for most of this book it felt like there was absolutely nothing around them. Eventually, Gesper has to go back to work, but you don’t see what he does or the people he works with. Also, Gwynn meets his family as well as the other women who’ve escaped, but those were all brief scenes that needed to be more detailed.
The focus of this book wasn’t for me so I’m not going to read other books in this series and I’m probably not going to try other books by this author.
Gesper has come down from the mountain to search for a wife. While he’s causing a distraction (and hoping for the women to run so he can pick his wife from them), Gwynn takes that opportunity to free herself from the chain keeping her in the tunnels. For the first time she’s walking around freely in the tunnels and while she wants to get out, she can’t quite believe that this is really happening (I thought that was written well). Since Gwynn is the only woman to come out of the tunnels, Gesper takes her and they adjust to their new situation.
Gesper and Gwynn were fine, but I wanted to see them actually get to know each other and do things with each other. Gesper was patient with Gwynn and didn’t try to push her to be his wife. Gwynn was learning how to do things such as cooking, doing laundry and just surviving outside of the tunnels, however that wasn’t really shown. There were occasional mentions of a mistake or discovery Gwynn would have while learning, but that was it.
The setting and other characters weren’t shown either so for most of this book it felt like there was absolutely nothing around them. Eventually, Gesper has to go back to work, but you don’t see what he does or the people he works with. Also, Gwynn meets his family as well as the other women who’ve escaped, but those were all brief scenes that needed to be more detailed.
The focus of this book wasn’t for me so I’m not going to read other books in this series and I’m probably not going to try other books by this author.
July 18, 2022
These books are great.
Until they aren't.
The story arc was interesting, and moving forward at a great pace. And then suddenly there are just pages and pages and pages and pages of absolute drivel. I'm at 76%, been binge reading along enjoying both the main characters and then I hit the word wall.
Until they aren't.
The story arc was interesting, and moving forward at a great pace. And then suddenly there are just pages and pages and pages and pages of absolute drivel. I'm at 76%, been binge reading along enjoying both the main characters and then I hit the word wall.
November 18, 2022
Great sci fi romance
The Deridia series has consistently wonderful, inventive plots with believable coup!es. The world and its varied peoples is fascinating. Gwynn is a believable female character suffering with PTSD from her life as a Narada thrall. Gesper may be my favorite male character in this series. I highly recommend Deridia.
The Deridia series has consistently wonderful, inventive plots with believable coup!es. The world and its varied peoples is fascinating. Gwynn is a believable female character suffering with PTSD from her life as a Narada thrall. Gesper may be my favorite male character in this series. I highly recommend Deridia.
February 19, 2023
This was good. I liked having a MMC who wasn’t a total perfect cinnamon roll at least at the beginning. And how the FMC realized how badly they were treated. And it was cute how she reunited with her minder. And I did appreciate how she didn’t magically get pregnant once she was in a better situation
June 16, 2024
Another great book
This book take you back to the underground caverns that humans are slaves and INE brave woman decided to flee to the light.
A being was waiting for his chance to find happiness through abduction of one woman that he could help.
They both have to over come the past and look at the each other and just "Be".
This book take you back to the underground caverns that humans are slaves and INE brave woman decided to flee to the light.
A being was waiting for his chance to find happiness through abduction of one woman that he could help.
They both have to over come the past and look at the each other and just "Be".
June 19, 2022
This series touches a special place in my soul. I hope Catherine Miller never stops writing. Every time I see a new book in the series pop up, I always sigh in relief that she’s still giving it attention. Thank you for this wonderful gift!
December 26, 2024
Love
As always, Miller crafted a poignant, beautiful story. I sobbed at the end, so heartbreakingly happy for Gwynne. She was such a strong, complex and remarkable character. I loved Gesper's quiet strength and support. They were magic together.
As always, Miller crafted a poignant, beautiful story. I sobbed at the end, so heartbreakingly happy for Gwynne. She was such a strong, complex and remarkable character. I loved Gesper's quiet strength and support. They were magic together.
June 30, 2022
Love this author, but you kinda have to be into the whole series. Just really well written, well told stories. Very slow burn, but it has to be. I think she's an author to watch.
Read
July 14, 2022Lordddddd these men are so damn patient
May 7, 2023
Bingo: Ruin Your Reading
July 4, 2023
Strong start but I think it started to drag from the halfway point.
March 19, 2025
Beautiful writing
much more nuanced than the first installment I read, Pledge.
We see the characters develop and move through their emotions and motives in a believable way
much more nuanced than the first installment I read, Pledge.
We see the characters develop and move through their emotions and motives in a believable way
June 16, 2025
I read this book in a day. It was easy, and just beautiful to read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews