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Ash Planet Warriors #4
Tormented by the Warlord
I won’t touch her. But I will torment her soul.
While the other warlords mate with the daughters of our enemy, I want nothing to do with these political marriages. Fate calls me north, searching for what the shamans say will complete my soul.
An impossible task without more warriors at my command.
Then an opportunity arises which I cannot refuse: hundreds of additional Jal’zar to strengthen my warband, allowing me to safely push into freeraider territory. The catch?
I must marry a woman.
A kiss and a deal later, I take my unruly wife with me into the plains. Anne has a sharp tongue and refuses to submit herself to my rule, rubbing me the right way in all the wrong places.
I will never touch her.
I will never love her.
Anne can never be more to me than the annoying fineprint at the end of a contract - because she is a daughter of the men who killed my family.
While the other warlords mate with the daughters of our enemy, I want nothing to do with these political marriages. Fate calls me north, searching for what the shamans say will complete my soul.
An impossible task without more warriors at my command.
Then an opportunity arises which I cannot refuse: hundreds of additional Jal’zar to strengthen my warband, allowing me to safely push into freeraider territory. The catch?
I must marry a woman.
A kiss and a deal later, I take my unruly wife with me into the plains. Anne has a sharp tongue and refuses to submit herself to my rule, rubbing me the right way in all the wrong places.
I will never touch her.
I will never love her.
Anne can never be more to me than the annoying fineprint at the end of a contract - because she is a daughter of the men who killed my family.
290 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
January 27, 2024
Has anyone ever asked if you could go back in time to read a book for the first time again, what book would that be? Well, Tormented by the Warlord would definitely be that book!
The Ash Planet Warriors series has been everything I could want and more. Each book and couple has had something that has pulled at different heart strings that I have loved. However, as amazing as those books have been and they’ve been amazing, they can’t even come within the same universe as Razgar and Anne’s story! When I first read about Razgar in Stolen by the Warlord, I will admit I wasn’t overly excited to read his story. I thought it would be your run of the mill asshole changes his tune once he sees the one woman that was meant to be his. I was DEAD wrong. There was nothing simple or cookie cutter about this story whatsoever. Razgar and Anne’s story took my emotions on an insane ride that I in no way so coming.
Since I read my first book of V.K a little over a year ago she has been an author that has had my full attention, but she has taken things to a whole other level with this book! This absolutely beautiful story about forgiveness and being able to let go of the past to be able to see what’s right in front of you, is not a story to be missed.
The Ash Planet Warriors series has been everything I could want and more. Each book and couple has had something that has pulled at different heart strings that I have loved. However, as amazing as those books have been and they’ve been amazing, they can’t even come within the same universe as Razgar and Anne’s story! When I first read about Razgar in Stolen by the Warlord, I will admit I wasn’t overly excited to read his story. I thought it would be your run of the mill asshole changes his tune once he sees the one woman that was meant to be his. I was DEAD wrong. There was nothing simple or cookie cutter about this story whatsoever. Razgar and Anne’s story took my emotions on an insane ride that I in no way so coming.
Since I read my first book of V.K a little over a year ago she has been an author that has had my full attention, but she has taken things to a whole other level with this book! This absolutely beautiful story about forgiveness and being able to let go of the past to be able to see what’s right in front of you, is not a story to be missed.
August 30, 2023
Still not a fan of the cover…
But this book is the best of the series thus far. Not insta-lust. Strong characters with clear motivations. Push and pull. There’s real emotion and gradual falling in love.
The writing is stilted at times, perhaps on purpose as part of the world building. But still.
I’d prob read the next one. The last one.
But this book is the best of the series thus far. Not insta-lust. Strong characters with clear motivations. Push and pull. There’s real emotion and gradual falling in love.
The writing is stilted at times, perhaps on purpose as part of the world building. But still.
I’d prob read the next one. The last one.
May 8, 2024
4.25✨
2.25🌶️
Epic enemies-to-lovers deliciousness! Well, enemies more so on the part of the MMC, Razgar's, side. Anne, our FMC, is more neutral.
Tormented by the Warlord is Book 4 and the final book in V.K Ludwig's Ash Planet Warriors sci-fi alien romance series, with an interconnected world featuring different main interspecies couples each book. And let me tell you, this series has been AWESOME, from beginning to end. It's up there with my favorites of the genre, simply because it is written so well, there's actual interesting worldbuilding that complements and enriches the romance, which is the main focus. And making all the characters interesting and complex!
Razgar has been the alien I was looking forward to reading about the most, as we got tastes of him all series and his absolute hatred for humans. So I knew it was going to be sooooo tensely satisfying to see him fall in love with his own human woman. And it WASSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
V.K Ludwig, can I convince you to write more installments of this series? Please please pleaseeeeee?
I highly recommend this series to all romance readers, especially those looking to break more into the alien romance scene after only dipping your toes in the shallow end. These aliens are still kind of humanoid, but also alien enough to feel like you're reading something different.
Also, I thought I had finished the series with this last installment, but in my anticipation to get to this story, I skipped a whole other book in this series, so I’m not done yet!
2.25🌶️
Epic enemies-to-lovers deliciousness! Well, enemies more so on the part of the MMC, Razgar's, side. Anne, our FMC, is more neutral.
Tormented by the Warlord is Book 4 and the final book in V.K Ludwig's Ash Planet Warriors sci-fi alien romance series, with an interconnected world featuring different main interspecies couples each book. And let me tell you, this series has been AWESOME, from beginning to end. It's up there with my favorites of the genre, simply because it is written so well, there's actual interesting worldbuilding that complements and enriches the romance, which is the main focus. And making all the characters interesting and complex!
Razgar has been the alien I was looking forward to reading about the most, as we got tastes of him all series and his absolute hatred for humans. So I knew it was going to be sooooo tensely satisfying to see him fall in love with his own human woman. And it WASSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
V.K Ludwig, can I convince you to write more installments of this series? Please please pleaseeeeee?
I highly recommend this series to all romance readers, especially those looking to break more into the alien romance scene after only dipping your toes in the shallow end. These aliens are still kind of humanoid, but also alien enough to feel like you're reading something different.
Also, I thought I had finished the series with this last installment, but in my anticipation to get to this story, I skipped a whole other book in this series, so I’m not done yet!
October 9, 2024
Damn, gotta love a good redemption story!
I couldn't stand Razgar. A complete asshole for the last 4 books. I debated even reading his book, but he won me over. Anne's steady and calm nature helped soothe Razgar's hate and anger. She taught him forgiveness and allowed him to let go of the past. Together they had to fight tooth and claw lol, to have a future.
I couldn't stand Razgar. A complete asshole for the last 4 books. I debated even reading his book, but he won me over. Anne's steady and calm nature helped soothe Razgar's hate and anger. She taught him forgiveness and allowed him to let go of the past. Together they had to fight tooth and claw lol, to have a future.
February 8, 2022
Gah I loved this! Tormented by the Warlord was far and away the best one of the series! It actually made me cry lol. Watching Razgar slowly change his ways of thinking and lose his hatred for humans - aka Anne - was everything. I also didn’t expect the bad guy which is a nice surprise. I won’t be reading the next one because it’s MMF and that’s just not for me, so I’ll be patiently waiting for book number 6!
January 25, 2022
This novel was excellent. The world building was incredibly vivid, with the landscape of this alien world and alien culture coming to incandescent life. The hero and heroine started the novel as broken people who had a lot of angst, but it was perfectly understandable and well justified, considering everything that both these protagonists had been through. It was lovely to see these two slowly and naturally fall in love, and thus heal and become much happier, healthier people. Their Happy Ever After ending was fought hard for, and I completely believed that these two would be able to face future hardship as a strong, united team. The way the hero desperately wanted children and did his best to diligently make that happen as often as the heroine would let him was super sweet and heartwarming, as well as SUPER hot. This novel was also 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. I highly recommend this novel, and think it is in the top 10 novels I have read so far this year. That is saying something, since I read 3 books a day on average. Beautiful!
December 7, 2024
3⭐️ Another cute alien romance by VK Ludwig with an ugly cover!
What to expect going into this book:
* A marriage of convenience between an unwilling alien warlord who absolutely dispises humankind and a human fmc with a tragic past
* Enemies to lovers ( I mean true enemies, he hated her so much in the beginning )
* Harsh, morally gray mmc who is a complete jerk in the beginning but turns into a kitten once he falls for the fmc
* Kind, down to earth fmc who went through a LOT before she met the mmc
* And the spice, oh boy the spice was pure filthery 🤌🔥🫣
What I wasn’t a fan of was the first time they had (hate)sex, he was a bit too rough with her, if you ask me. She claimed that she liked it like that and needed it..but it was a bit much for me, but maybe for some readers who enjoy dark romance books, this would be right up their alley. It got better after that one time, especially after he found out about her past.
Other than that, this was a very easy, uncomplicated and entertaining book.
What to expect going into this book:
* A marriage of convenience between an unwilling alien warlord who absolutely dispises humankind and a human fmc with a tragic past
* Enemies to lovers ( I mean true enemies, he hated her so much in the beginning )
* Harsh, morally gray mmc who is a complete jerk in the beginning but turns into a kitten once he falls for the fmc
* Kind, down to earth fmc who went through a LOT before she met the mmc
* And the spice, oh boy the spice was pure filthery 🤌🔥🫣
What I wasn’t a fan of was the first time they had (hate)sex, he was a bit too rough with her, if you ask me. She claimed that she liked it like that and needed it..but it was a bit much for me, but maybe for some readers who enjoy dark romance books, this would be right up their alley. It got better after that one time, especially after he found out about her past.
Other than that, this was a very easy, uncomplicated and entertaining book.
September 10, 2022
Great enemies to lovers! I loved it.
I'm going to read Ludwig's backlist as well.
Her writing and characterization is better than the genre average. Her plotting is also more brutal - she kills off side characters really often, when others authors might give them a redemption arc in future books. Which is not a bad thing. Some people are dicks and seeing them die is pretty satisfying.
I'm going to read Ludwig's backlist as well.
Her writing and characterization is better than the genre average. Her plotting is also more brutal - she kills off side characters really often, when others authors might give them a redemption arc in future books. Which is not a bad thing. Some people are dicks and seeing them die is pretty satisfying.
January 28, 2022
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: enemies to lovers
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This series has just been fantastic and Tormented by the Warlord did NOT let me down. Superb storytelling with the best characters that just have so much depth to them. Their backstories just tear at you and you become super invested in their ability to find comfort and happiness in each other. The world building is off the chain and you can totally visualize the time, world, and people of this planet. I loved how Anne was so physically different where so many heroines are cut from the same or similar cloth. Truly wonderful book I’d recommend to anyone and everyone!
Trope: enemies to lovers
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This series has just been fantastic and Tormented by the Warlord did NOT let me down. Superb storytelling with the best characters that just have so much depth to them. Their backstories just tear at you and you become super invested in their ability to find comfort and happiness in each other. The world building is off the chain and you can totally visualize the time, world, and people of this planet. I loved how Anne was so physically different where so many heroines are cut from the same or similar cloth. Truly wonderful book I’d recommend to anyone and everyone!
September 19, 2022
ENEMIES TO LOVERS. INTENSE ENEMIES TO LOVERS. i cannot possibly understate how much hatred flows between the two main characters. there is vitriol. there is enmity. there is rough hate sex.
razgar, over the glimpses we got of him across the previous books, seemed like a first class asshole. and...he is. and that’s why i was positively feral for this book. there is almost nothing i love more than the reluctant, begrudging, but unavoidable softening of the heart between enemies in books. the romance in this story is hard-fought and hard-won, and it makes it a much richer, more rewarding experience. it has it all. forced proximity. marriage-of-convenience (or, at least, a business arrangement). mutual traumas that bring the characters together. FAMILY. LOVE. BETRAYALS. BATTLES. A CUTE BIRD PET. AND OUR FMC? an icon. a LEGEND. A WARLORD IN HER OWN RIGHT. anne is an earth woman who spent time on solgad, learned the ways of the jal’zar, and can fight and stand on her own amidst a society of warriors (and a warband led by the meanest of them all.) truthfully i think i like anne the best, out of all of the FMCs — she has albinism, she has panic attacks and psychological ramifications from her many traumas, but none of these are her defining traits. she’s truly remarkable, strong enough to deal with razgar’s hateful ass, brave enough to return to a world that only ever harmed her, and soft enough to open her heart to love despite all of it.
razgar’s journey takes the bulk of the focus in this book, BUT ANNE DESERVES SO MUCH CREDIT. she’s his north. and what a beautiful, exciting, painful journey it is.
(also, as a linguistics major, i have to say that VK ludwig’s use and invention of jalut in this series MAKES ME SO HAPPY. INVENTING YOUR OWN LANGUAGE, even if it’s just a few words and sentences here and there, IS SO HARD, AND VK LUDWIG DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB.)
please, please please, i need book 5 immediately. and then a hundred epilogues for all my favorite characters. 🤲🏻🥹
razgar, over the glimpses we got of him across the previous books, seemed like a first class asshole. and...he is. and that’s why i was positively feral for this book. there is almost nothing i love more than the reluctant, begrudging, but unavoidable softening of the heart between enemies in books. the romance in this story is hard-fought and hard-won, and it makes it a much richer, more rewarding experience. it has it all. forced proximity. marriage-of-convenience (or, at least, a business arrangement). mutual traumas that bring the characters together. FAMILY. LOVE. BETRAYALS. BATTLES. A CUTE BIRD PET. AND OUR FMC? an icon. a LEGEND. A WARLORD IN HER OWN RIGHT. anne is an earth woman who spent time on solgad, learned the ways of the jal’zar, and can fight and stand on her own amidst a society of warriors (and a warband led by the meanest of them all.) truthfully i think i like anne the best, out of all of the FMCs — she has albinism, she has panic attacks and psychological ramifications from her many traumas, but none of these are her defining traits. she’s truly remarkable, strong enough to deal with razgar’s hateful ass, brave enough to return to a world that only ever harmed her, and soft enough to open her heart to love despite all of it.
razgar’s journey takes the bulk of the focus in this book, BUT ANNE DESERVES SO MUCH CREDIT. she’s his north. and what a beautiful, exciting, painful journey it is.
(also, as a linguistics major, i have to say that VK ludwig’s use and invention of jalut in this series MAKES ME SO HAPPY. INVENTING YOUR OWN LANGUAGE, even if it’s just a few words and sentences here and there, IS SO HARD, AND VK LUDWIG DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB.)
please, please please, i need book 5 immediately. and then a hundred epilogues for all my favorite characters. 🤲🏻🥹
April 12, 2024
Enemies to Lovers done well 👏🏻
Very angsty and it took a while for the main character to develop any feelings for eachother which was refreshing and it kept me on edge. I loved the FMC, she has albinism and on a planted with grey people she obviously stands apart. She is resourceful resilient and smart and definitely kept her ground around the Hero which was a dixk most of the time.
Very angsty and it took a while for the main character to develop any feelings for eachother which was refreshing and it kept me on edge. I loved the FMC, she has albinism and on a planted with grey people she obviously stands apart. She is resourceful resilient and smart and definitely kept her ground around the Hero which was a dixk most of the time.
December 27, 2022
Pls remember these ratings are all based personal preferences.
This is the story of the asshat from book 1!
I skipped 2&3 ( not a fan when the H is all broken because of a past lover (2) or second chances (3) So here we are at book 4!
Now if you’ve read any of my other reviews 9/10 times you’ll see me complaining about how the h isn’t a good character and how much I love the H but here? I LOVED the h.
Anne (h) was everything I loved in an h! She had a sharp tongue, a sharp mind, skills, strength, resolve AND kindness. I love when a character has a quiet fire, she retorts at the right times, admits her mistakes and is just really well-rounded.
Now Razgar/Zaza (the H) was a straight up asshat. Sure he has his reasons, I don’t blame him but wow! He managed to be an asshat while at the same time not being too much of an asshat that it pissed me off. I understood his reasoning even tho I didn’t agree with it!
This story had so much hate between the MCs that my poor little heart was just squeezed right for a lot of the story. And towards the third act my mind was screaming for Anne to leave him ( leave him girl! ) I at least wanted a grovel! I didn’t really get one but Anne is better than me and I guess she didn’t blame him too much because of everything he was going through. WHICH LEADS ME - to my normal complaint. Give me more reassurance and some more time with the couple after the third act separation before jumping straight to the ending. 😭 This was a roller coaster of emotions and I still don’t feel steady from it.
Don’t worry, the third act separation has nothing to do with cheating and it’s not even that bad, what was bad was the pain the h felt. 😭
No cheating/no sharing. - Some hussy comes onto the H but he ignores her and it had been a long time since he’s been with anyone, he’s never loved anyone before.
Honorable mention: Romi ( H’s sister ) and her babies🥰
I was about to lose my shit if I didn’t get a baby after all that damn breeding talk and baby talk. ( sign up for author’s newsletter if you want to be a little satisfied after all the lead up to a baby)
This had a lot of things that usually put me off to a book like MCs actually feeling hatred toward each other, in this case H towards h. I dunno how this managed to work so well for me but it did, a lot of it was painful but once the tender moments started coming it got better, I loved it.
Highlights;
Oh you know, the usual,
Knots/humming/biting/bonds
Breeding talk.
The H being tender with his nieces.
The H losing his shit when the h got taken.
The traitor getting what they deserved.
What was lacking;
More on-page time when they come together after the separation. I swear I’m a broken record about this.
This is the story of the asshat from book 1!
I skipped 2&3 ( not a fan when the H is all broken because of a past lover (2) or second chances (3) So here we are at book 4!
Now if you’ve read any of my other reviews 9/10 times you’ll see me complaining about how the h isn’t a good character and how much I love the H but here? I LOVED the h.
Anne (h) was everything I loved in an h! She had a sharp tongue, a sharp mind, skills, strength, resolve AND kindness. I love when a character has a quiet fire, she retorts at the right times, admits her mistakes and is just really well-rounded.
Now Razgar/Zaza (the H) was a straight up asshat. Sure he has his reasons, I don’t blame him but wow! He managed to be an asshat while at the same time not being too much of an asshat that it pissed me off. I understood his reasoning even tho I didn’t agree with it!
This story had so much hate between the MCs that my poor little heart was just squeezed right for a lot of the story. And towards the third act my mind was screaming for Anne to leave him ( leave him girl! ) I at least wanted a grovel! I didn’t really get one but Anne is better than me and I guess she didn’t blame him too much because of everything he was going through. WHICH LEADS ME - to my normal complaint. Give me more reassurance and some more time with the couple after the third act separation before jumping straight to the ending. 😭 This was a roller coaster of emotions and I still don’t feel steady from it.
Don’t worry, the third act separation has nothing to do with cheating and it’s not even that bad, what was bad was the pain the h felt. 😭
No cheating/no sharing. - Some hussy comes onto the H but he ignores her and it had been a long time since he’s been with anyone, he’s never loved anyone before.
Honorable mention: Romi ( H’s sister ) and her babies🥰
I was about to lose my shit if I didn’t get a baby after all that damn breeding talk and baby talk. ( sign up for author’s newsletter if you want to be a little satisfied after all the lead up to a baby)
This had a lot of things that usually put me off to a book like MCs actually feeling hatred toward each other, in this case H towards h. I dunno how this managed to work so well for me but it did, a lot of it was painful but once the tender moments started coming it got better, I loved it.
Highlights;
Oh you know, the usual,
Knots/humming/biting/bonds
Breeding talk.
The H being tender with his nieces.
The H losing his shit when the h got taken.
The traitor getting what they deserved.
What was lacking;
More on-page time when they come together after the separation. I swear I’m a broken record about this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
If you loved Ice Planet Barbarians, you’ll love this series too. It’s similar in that it’s a primitive planet, but their major city has all the top technology and the warlords rotate between who occupies the city and who’s out on the plains. This one was my favorite, but they were all amazing! I loved how it incorporated a/b/o aspects while still remaining entirely unique. As far as I’m concerned this is in the top tier of sci-fi romance along with IPB and the Horde Kings series.
March 23, 2022
Absolutely loved this series
February 12, 2026
Nothing more to say other than AMAZING it's even better the second time around!
This one was so emotional!
I loved both of these broken characters who went from hating one another to being the absolute loveliest couple. I can't praise this one enough. It had all the emotion and danger of the first book, but on a bigger scale. Anne and Razgar had so many more obstacles in their love story than any of the other couples in this series. These obstacles turned the story into something bigger and more emotional than the other 3 books. I loved it so much!
***** amazing read, 5 stars *****
This one was so emotional!
I loved both of these broken characters who went from hating one another to being the absolute loveliest couple. I can't praise this one enough. It had all the emotion and danger of the first book, but on a bigger scale. Anne and Razgar had so many more obstacles in their love story than any of the other couples in this series. These obstacles turned the story into something bigger and more emotional than the other 3 books. I loved it so much!
***** amazing read, 5 stars *****
February 4, 2022
4 Stars
I'll start with that I expected more darkness or angst in this one. Oh it was there. But it was more like a shadow cloaking the characters rather than a living breathing entity. Except for at the beginning. Razgar was the embodiment of hate at the beginning but that soon evolved.
Razgar was everything I could have hoped for. You absolutely could not blame him for his honest hate of what the Empire did to his family. To know who was the cause of such loss is one thing but to see it with your own eyes, experience it with the young innocent mind of a child and still survive the loss said so much for his strength of character. I adored him. I didn't like him much at the beginning of the series and only until book 3 was I itching for his story but I'm so glad we got it.
Anne was a heroine you honestly couldn't not like. Considering what she went through herself with being taken captive by freeraiders I'm amazed she was as calm and understanding as she was. Maybe it was just her nature, or maybe the intensive therapy she had following her captivity. Whose to say. But she had a will to live and a bravery one could only dream of having for her to willingly choose to live among those on a planet that did such a harm to her body and soul all in the hope she could find a place for herself. To do good. Make a change. But most of all fix herself and try to find the woman she once was. Anne's journey was admirable. And I appreciated how she handled situations so calmly and logically, especially when paired to Razgar's hot headed temper.
If anything I wish the book was longer. Even the additional epilogue didn't satisfy me. I wanted more intimate scenes between them. Not just sex, though those were fun but domestic scenes. Them just being together. It was so beautiful.
Lastly, I thought this was the final book but turns out we have one more coming about freeraiders. From what I've heard from the FB group it seems to be MMF/MFM type relationship and tbh that bums me out a little because those just aren't my jam though I know others love em. But considering it's the last book I won't be able to resist it and will likely read it despite my preferences because 1.) I need closure. And 2.) I trust in V.K. and her skills as an author. That though it may not be my favorite trope I can trust in her to tell a beautiful story as she has the entire series. No doubt it'll be fascinating how that relationship dynamic plays out regardless.
I'll start with that I expected more darkness or angst in this one. Oh it was there. But it was more like a shadow cloaking the characters rather than a living breathing entity. Except for at the beginning. Razgar was the embodiment of hate at the beginning but that soon evolved.
Razgar was everything I could have hoped for. You absolutely could not blame him for his honest hate of what the Empire did to his family. To know who was the cause of such loss is one thing but to see it with your own eyes, experience it with the young innocent mind of a child and still survive the loss said so much for his strength of character. I adored him. I didn't like him much at the beginning of the series and only until book 3 was I itching for his story but I'm so glad we got it.
Anne was a heroine you honestly couldn't not like. Considering what she went through herself with being taken captive by freeraiders I'm amazed she was as calm and understanding as she was. Maybe it was just her nature, or maybe the intensive therapy she had following her captivity. Whose to say. But she had a will to live and a bravery one could only dream of having for her to willingly choose to live among those on a planet that did such a harm to her body and soul all in the hope she could find a place for herself. To do good. Make a change. But most of all fix herself and try to find the woman she once was. Anne's journey was admirable. And I appreciated how she handled situations so calmly and logically, especially when paired to Razgar's hot headed temper.
If anything I wish the book was longer. Even the additional epilogue didn't satisfy me. I wanted more intimate scenes between them. Not just sex, though those were fun but domestic scenes. Them just being together. It was so beautiful.
Lastly, I thought this was the final book but turns out we have one more coming about freeraiders. From what I've heard from the FB group it seems to be MMF/MFM type relationship and tbh that bums me out a little because those just aren't my jam though I know others love em. But considering it's the last book I won't be able to resist it and will likely read it despite my preferences because 1.) I need closure. And 2.) I trust in V.K. and her skills as an author. That though it may not be my favorite trope I can trust in her to tell a beautiful story as she has the entire series. No doubt it'll be fascinating how that relationship dynamic plays out regardless.
January 28, 2022
Tormented by the Warlord
Ash Planet Warriors book 4
By V.K. Ludwig
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is not your average alien romance. The depth of emotion involved in this series is so far beyond the average sci fi romance and yet it is also heartwarming and humorous. There is simply fascinating world and culture building as well as rather intriguing alien anatomy. Very high steam/open door.
Trigger warnings - family trauma, kidnapping, rape (not on the page but referenced in the past), being sold into prostitution (again in the past), death of parents and PTSD.
However the way two extremely traumatized individuals can be what the other needs is simply beautiful.
V.K Ludwig does it again. Amazingly epic sci-fi/alien romance. 5/5
Ash Planet Warriors book 4
By V.K. Ludwig
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is not your average alien romance. The depth of emotion involved in this series is so far beyond the average sci fi romance and yet it is also heartwarming and humorous. There is simply fascinating world and culture building as well as rather intriguing alien anatomy. Very high steam/open door.
Trigger warnings - family trauma, kidnapping, rape (not on the page but referenced in the past), being sold into prostitution (again in the past), death of parents and PTSD.
However the way two extremely traumatized individuals can be what the other needs is simply beautiful.
V.K Ludwig does it again. Amazingly epic sci-fi/alien romance. 5/5
July 30, 2026
3 stars ⭐️ I’m an absolute sucker for enemies to lovers so I did enjoy this one the most. My biggest complaint however… the nickname “Zaza” (his childhood nickname mind you) was so cringey. The origin is that his sister couldn’t pronounce his name as a child so she called him Zaza.
Now the problem isn’t the name but the fact that Anne never referred to him as Razgar after that moment. The author had her calling him Zaza during sex and emotional moments and I hated it. Like please stop😭😭 It reminded me of a kid and killed the tone of the story.
Now the problem isn’t the name but the fact that Anne never referred to him as Razgar after that moment. The author had her calling him Zaza during sex and emotional moments and I hated it. Like please stop😭😭 It reminded me of a kid and killed the tone of the story.
January 25, 2022
I enjoyed this book. The writing is well done, and the story really captured my interest. A solid blend of tension, drama, turmoil and emotion had me firmly in its grip as this couple's relationship evolves and their story unfolds. This is my frank, freely posted review.
September 21, 2022
I don’t even know what to say. This book is wonderful. It made me feel all the emotions. Razgar is everything 😭
August 29, 2024
Admittedly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this at first, but as we unwrapped our main characters I started to like it more. I love a good “who did this to you” scene, chefs kiss as always.
January 28, 2022
yay
we got razgar's story!! he was extremely frustrating in his stubborness, but i loved this book!! and i cannot WAIT for book 5!!!!
we got razgar's story!! he was extremely frustrating in his stubborness, but i loved this book!! and i cannot WAIT for book 5!!!!
July 9, 2023
Stolen by the Warlord ✾ 4.5 Stars
Claimed by the Warlord ✾ 3.5 Stars
Bound to the Warlord ✾ Between 4.5 and 5 Stars because I can't decide yet.
Tormented by the Warlord ✾ 2.5 Stars
I'm very sad about being right and not liking this book because of his main character: Razgar. We know this character from the very first book and, let's just say, I've interacted with rocks kinder than him. He wasn't only a bully but a ferocious warlord that wasn't too popular with the others.
This book it's the darkest one in the series so far. It wasn't an easy read by any means and it took a while for me to warm myself up to Razgar only for it come crumbling down and not working for me at the end. It's a HELL of a slow journey into character growth territory. Just when you felt he was stepping forward, he would step back even further.
Anne wasn't a bad character, I found her to be one the most experienced girls not only in combat but in regards to tribe customs and leadership. She was the best of both worlds but it wasn't believable for me when she decided to go only because she was told by a shimid she wasn't pregnant. A shimid that throughout the book was flirting with Razagar's friend that ended up being a liar and something else too. You're telling me that Anne didn't realize what was going on and didn't even consult with a second shimid before leaving? I knew she was vulnerable at the time but that was the whole point of Anne. A vulnerable character that's not only smart and resourceful but a badass as well.
I don't really know what to say about Razgar if I'm being honest. Their first sexual encounter was just too much for me though I understood where he was coming from. I also understood how devoted he was to family but it didn't sit well with me everything was done at the expense of Anne. It was almost like he was embarrassed of their relationship when Anne had proved herself time and time again, even confiding him her own struggles. I found him to be a hypocrite and I wanted to see A LOT of groveling from him. So much more groveling.
I understood the importance of Razgar's sister, Runa, but I found myself being confused at her. She hated Anne with her guts and made mention of it every single time she had the opportunity only for her to say something along the lines of: it's good she makes you happy. What in the actual fuck was the point? Her disdain was not only misplaced but the way she makes peace with it was so shallow I couldn't even care at that point.
Other than that, I enjoyed the breeding kink and some interactions between the MC's were cute. The world-building and culture just gets better and better. Characters with their own personality, even if we don't like them, are appreciated and are a breath of fresh air and the author has managed to give all of them their own voice.
January 27, 2022
I love this series!!
VK Ludwig is a queen of writing alien romance. This book is an enemies to lovers, with a character we have seen through out the series, Warlord Razgar. He’s an asshole, he’s angry, and he hates humans and hybrids. So when he ends up having to marry a human woman, we are in for a wild ride. I LOVED the FMC Anne, and how strong she is, despite the life she has endured. She’s perfect for Razgar and getting to see them get to a place from hate to love is such a good story. The spice in this one is 🔥🔥 and there’s quite a bit of a breeding kink as well that is HOT 🥵. There’s one last book in the series, and I’m sad to see it near the end but I can’t wait for it as well!
VK Ludwig is a queen of writing alien romance. This book is an enemies to lovers, with a character we have seen through out the series, Warlord Razgar. He’s an asshole, he’s angry, and he hates humans and hybrids. So when he ends up having to marry a human woman, we are in for a wild ride. I LOVED the FMC Anne, and how strong she is, despite the life she has endured. She’s perfect for Razgar and getting to see them get to a place from hate to love is such a good story. The spice in this one is 🔥🔥 and there’s quite a bit of a breeding kink as well that is HOT 🥵. There’s one last book in the series, and I’m sad to see it near the end but I can’t wait for it as well!
February 20, 2025
I liked this one better than Stolen by the Warlord. Anne has more of a personality than Cae-something and Razgar actually was the violent and hateful warlord the blurb promised him to be. The book does what it should do, like any decent Candlelight romance book (set on a different planet). I didn't like the somewhat sudden change of heart from Razgar. I would have preferred him to remain distant and doubtful for a bit longer. But hey, what can you expect from a 300 page long book. I'm not going to read the other books in this series. They were fun but having read two, I'm satisfied.
February 19, 2022
Grandiose - never would I have expected Razgar to be a real oyster - ruggedly furrowed on the outside and softly concealing a perfect pearl deep inside.
And Anne's inner strength radiates constantly and gives the feeling of moving forward without fear, because in the end all will be well. And if all is not yet well, then it is not yet the end.
Great book, impressive, believable characters, insane development - great performance in the narrative and design - great Ms. Ludwig!
And Anne's inner strength radiates constantly and gives the feeling of moving forward without fear, because in the end all will be well. And if all is not yet well, then it is not yet the end.
Great book, impressive, believable characters, insane development - great performance in the narrative and design - great Ms. Ludwig!
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars! A good smutty read, I enjoyed the world and the quick read. Defs skimmed towards the end and it’s very low risk. I liked the enemies to lovers even though I wish the enemies lasted longer.
I will say I’m not sure why but something felt off. H’s mother and sister being raped and him trying to find her was all well and good but something about loving the h calling him the nickname the said sister used to use and it reminded him of her was idk it was a bit weird
I will say I’m not sure why but something felt off. H’s mother and sister being raped and him trying to find her was all well and good but something about loving the h calling him the nickname the said sister used to use and it reminded him of her was idk it was a bit weird
August 12, 2024
Second read this year and loved it as much as the first time!
April 10, 2025
4.25 stars
I was really enjoying the book until the whole thing with Razgar and his lost sister. It went on for far too long that it made Razgar annoying.
This is my first book in the series. So there are freeriders and I would say there are hordes. The freeriders are like a group of outlaws who banded together against the hordes. The hordes were nomadic too but they have warlords leading them in charge. For some reason, there's an agreement to marry off humans to these warlords and Anne was supposed to marry one. But her bethrothed died and she was passed off to Razgar. Razgar hated humans with a passion because they enslaved his people's females and sold them off to I'm assuming freeriders. Despite the freeriders being his own people who liked to mark females with their stingers without making them their mates, Razgar directed his hatred to humans only. His sisters were enslaved but he only got one back, Romi. He's still looking for his other sister, who was also his twin.
Razgar didn't want a human as his mate but decided to take Anne anyways because he would be taking over the dead warlord's tribe, giving him more people to help him find his twin. He treated Anne badly due to his prejudice while Romi, the one who was actually abused, didn't hold anything against Anne. Every time Anne got scared, she would get aroused because her body didn't know the difference between fear and arousal. Razgar would mock her before he learned that she was also subjected to the stings. She was working as border patrol when she was captured.
Anne tried to get the dead warlord's second, Yodokan, to be Razgar's second so Yodokan wouldn't lead an uprising. But he wouldn't listen and stuck to his longtime friend, Setoy. Someone then challenged Razgar for the warlord position. He won but he was poisoned really badly. Anne knew the tribe couldn't see him weak and planned to get Razgar ahead to the next camp first, and only then have his people follow later so they wouldn't see him. Before they could move him, Yodokan entered their tent and saw Razgar. In fear that Yodokan would challenge him, Anne made him her second, which was unprecedented. They got Razgar to the next camp safely and Anne tended to his needs while he was out cold. When he was concsious, Setoy tried to claim credit even though it was all Anne. Razgar didn't believe Anne at first but saw the truth after speaking to Yodokan. He only reprimanded Setoy, and that marked the beginning of Setoy's hate.
Razgar and Anne grew close after learning that she was a victim too. He was also impressed that she knew how to fight and how well she bonded with the people. They came to a truce and started having sex. Razgar claimed that he was only enjoying her body and that he would never love her, although he would offer her protection for the rest of her life. Razgar didn't want to have kids with Anne but after the birth of Romi's baby, he got baby fever and decided he wanted kids with Anne. He still couldn't say that he loved her though.
Meanwhile, Setoy was slacking off more and more. When they were moving up north to find his sister, they were attacked by freeraiders. Yodokan was there to help but Setoy was nowhere to be seen. Anne saved Romi and her kid.
The next day, Razgar's long lost sister appeared. Romi and Anne thought that her appearance was suspicious but didn't want to say anything to Razgar yet. But when the twin didn't stop being hostile toward Anne even after knowing she was a victim too, Romi became outwardly disapproving of the twin. What's worse, Razgar couldn't pick a side and would just froze in his dilemma. This fight dragged on for way too long and I started to get annoyed.
Then Setoy approached Anne and offered to help her to leave camp. Anne was already thinking of leaving just so the twin would stay and because Razgar still couldn't say that he loved her. She didn't want to leave in case she's pregnant but Setoy got a healer that he'd been flirting with to say that she's not pregnant. This part reminded me so much of Zoey Draven's Claimed by a Horde King. She ran away and soon Razgar accepted that his twin was just there because she was sent by the freeraiders to make them leave. The twin never had any intention of staying but there also wasn't any effort to get Razgar to leave so eh. Would've been nice if there was some nuance that the twin actually wanted to stay longer than she was allowed to or something to explain why she was sticking for so long without doing anything but nah, in the end she just said that her home was with the freeriders. They also got a hint that the freeriders wanted to kill all warlords for some reason.
It took Razgar a while before he felt the pain of Anne being far away from him. And while he was weak, Setoy came out of the woodwork to challenge him. Razgar won and tied Setoy to his alien-horse-animal and dragged him lol.
Razgar got info that Anne was back home so he got a jet that he was going to fly on his own. When reading this, it was a really jarring that they're living so technology-free and then suddenly a jet popped up and he's suddenly a pilot. Razgar showed up all bloody and weak, and he apologized, and told her that she was pregnant. Then we got an epilogue with their kid.
I was really enjoying the book until the whole thing with Razgar and his lost sister. It went on for far too long that it made Razgar annoying.
This is my first book in the series. So there are freeriders and I would say there are hordes. The freeriders are like a group of outlaws who banded together against the hordes. The hordes were nomadic too but they have warlords leading them in charge. For some reason, there's an agreement to marry off humans to these warlords and Anne was supposed to marry one. But her bethrothed died and she was passed off to Razgar. Razgar hated humans with a passion because they enslaved his people's females and sold them off to I'm assuming freeriders. Despite the freeriders being his own people who liked to mark females with their stingers without making them their mates, Razgar directed his hatred to humans only. His sisters were enslaved but he only got one back, Romi. He's still looking for his other sister, who was also his twin.
Razgar didn't want a human as his mate but decided to take Anne anyways because he would be taking over the dead warlord's tribe, giving him more people to help him find his twin. He treated Anne badly due to his prejudice while Romi, the one who was actually abused, didn't hold anything against Anne. Every time Anne got scared, she would get aroused because her body didn't know the difference between fear and arousal. Razgar would mock her before he learned that she was also subjected to the stings. She was working as border patrol when she was captured.
Anne tried to get the dead warlord's second, Yodokan, to be Razgar's second so Yodokan wouldn't lead an uprising. But he wouldn't listen and stuck to his longtime friend, Setoy. Someone then challenged Razgar for the warlord position. He won but he was poisoned really badly. Anne knew the tribe couldn't see him weak and planned to get Razgar ahead to the next camp first, and only then have his people follow later so they wouldn't see him. Before they could move him, Yodokan entered their tent and saw Razgar. In fear that Yodokan would challenge him, Anne made him her second, which was unprecedented. They got Razgar to the next camp safely and Anne tended to his needs while he was out cold. When he was concsious, Setoy tried to claim credit even though it was all Anne. Razgar didn't believe Anne at first but saw the truth after speaking to Yodokan. He only reprimanded Setoy, and that marked the beginning of Setoy's hate.
Razgar and Anne grew close after learning that she was a victim too. He was also impressed that she knew how to fight and how well she bonded with the people. They came to a truce and started having sex. Razgar claimed that he was only enjoying her body and that he would never love her, although he would offer her protection for the rest of her life. Razgar didn't want to have kids with Anne but after the birth of Romi's baby, he got baby fever and decided he wanted kids with Anne. He still couldn't say that he loved her though.
Meanwhile, Setoy was slacking off more and more. When they were moving up north to find his sister, they were attacked by freeraiders. Yodokan was there to help but Setoy was nowhere to be seen. Anne saved Romi and her kid.
The next day, Razgar's long lost sister appeared. Romi and Anne thought that her appearance was suspicious but didn't want to say anything to Razgar yet. But when the twin didn't stop being hostile toward Anne even after knowing she was a victim too, Romi became outwardly disapproving of the twin. What's worse, Razgar couldn't pick a side and would just froze in his dilemma. This fight dragged on for way too long and I started to get annoyed.
Then Setoy approached Anne and offered to help her to leave camp. Anne was already thinking of leaving just so the twin would stay and because Razgar still couldn't say that he loved her. She didn't want to leave in case she's pregnant but Setoy got a healer that he'd been flirting with to say that she's not pregnant. This part reminded me so much of Zoey Draven's Claimed by a Horde King. She ran away and soon Razgar accepted that his twin was just there because she was sent by the freeraiders to make them leave. The twin never had any intention of staying but there also wasn't any effort to get Razgar to leave so eh. Would've been nice if there was some nuance that the twin actually wanted to stay longer than she was allowed to or something to explain why she was sticking for so long without doing anything but nah, in the end she just said that her home was with the freeriders. They also got a hint that the freeriders wanted to kill all warlords for some reason.
It took Razgar a while before he felt the pain of Anne being far away from him. And while he was weak, Setoy came out of the woodwork to challenge him. Razgar won and tied Setoy to his alien-horse-animal and dragged him lol.
Razgar got info that Anne was back home so he got a jet that he was going to fly on his own. When reading this, it was a really jarring that they're living so technology-free and then suddenly a jet popped up and he's suddenly a pilot. Razgar showed up all bloody and weak, and he apologized, and told her that she was pregnant. Then we got an epilogue with their kid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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