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Vikings Underground #1
Besieged
Besieged Jaid Black Besieged is the prequel to the Death Row series. While studying the indigenous people of Alaska for her anthropology dissertation, Peggy Brannigan is hunted down and kidnapped in the arctic by a mysterious Nordic male determined to keep her as a breeding mate. Publisher's Originally appeared in the anthology The Hunted.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2009
41 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Jaid Black
101 books747 followersJaid Black is the pseudonym of Tina Marie Engler—the founder/owner of the former Ellora's Cave Publishing. Engler has been featured in every major news outlet such as Forbes, Publisher's Weekly, Salon, and Time Magazine. Ms. Engler was officially recognized by Romantic Times Magazine with their first ever Trail Blazer award for being the mastermind of adult (erotic) romance as you know and love it today, as well as for the pivotal role she played in popularizing the e-book.
Writing as Jaid Black, her books have received numerous distinctions, including a nomination for the Henry Miller award for the best literary sex scene written in the English language. Most of her novels and novellas are a hybrid of sci-fi and adult romance. She is a proud member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA.)
Also writing as Jasmine LeVeaux
Writing as Jaid Black, her books have received numerous distinctions, including a nomination for the Henry Miller award for the best literary sex scene written in the English language. Most of her novels and novellas are a hybrid of sci-fi and adult romance. She is a proud member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA.)
Also writing as Jasmine LeVeaux
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 29, 2019
Una novela cortísima que no tiene otro objetivo que crear un entorno fantástico para desarrollar escenas eróticas de alto voltaje. No hay ningún esfuerzo en el desarrollo de personajes, ambientes o conflictos. A pesar de todo hay que reconocer que entretiene, pero sin ninguna pretensión.
January 31, 2012
I read this book because I learned it was a sequel of Death row series, which I enjoyed. I shouldn't have bothered.
Peggy is an anthropologist working in her dissertation with the Eskimos in the Central Arctic. There she hears about the stone-dwellers, fierce warriors who kidnap women, but she believes it to be an Inuit legend. Until one day she is kidnapped by these Nordic-looking men, probably descendants of Vikings.
The world-building almost finishes here, and there begins the erotic book: from here on Peggy isn’t a clever woman, she becomes is just a lusty female, and the world built is just an excuse to have lots of sex with a gorgeous man. Let me illustrate this with the most ridiculous thing ever: the stone-dwellers live happily below earth, and the first thing that catches Peggy attention is that women are undressed. In the Central Arctic??? Just how many kilometers bellow earth are we talking about?
So to sum up: mindless reading, for when you are in a mood for a flat-brain erotic reading.
Peggy is an anthropologist working in her dissertation with the Eskimos in the Central Arctic. There she hears about the stone-dwellers, fierce warriors who kidnap women, but she believes it to be an Inuit legend. Until one day she is kidnapped by these Nordic-looking men, probably descendants of Vikings.
The world-building almost finishes here, and there begins the erotic book: from here on Peggy isn’t a clever woman, she becomes is just a lusty female, and the world built is just an excuse to have lots of sex with a gorgeous man. Let me illustrate this with the most ridiculous thing ever: the stone-dwellers live happily below earth, and the first thing that catches Peggy attention is that women are undressed. In the Central Arctic??? Just how many kilometers bellow earth are we talking about?
So to sum up: mindless reading, for when you are in a mood for a flat-brain erotic reading.
November 30, 2012
"Me big viking man, you pretty wench. I'm going to kidnap you and make you my wife and make you bare my big viking children and you should be happy about it. And if your not all these other big viking will take you and rape you whenever they please." TF? Me, thinks not.
July 5, 2016
I must say I WISH there's was a review like the one I'm about write before I got into this book. and you can't berate me simply because this was marked "taboo" and it was a kidnapping book that I should've known. I've read many kidnapping books and NONE were this level of demeaning to the woman. I didn't even get past the "consummation" before I just HAD to stop.
it. was. disgusting. how these "wives" were treated. and these men "love" their "wives" but allow them to be treated thus way?
let me say that I've LOVED jaid black and her books, until this one.
Pegg is kidnapped, and touched by men who are NOT her husband and the man who is SUPPOSED to be her husband and "love" her, is okay with that.
peggy and a young girl- 18 year old VIRGIN michelle- are giving a sleeping agent, and wake up naked, bathed, and shaved. WHO knows who did this to them, or what the hell ELSE they could've done to them.
then they are paraded through town completely naked-along with all the other naked "brides". there is a woman leading them, along with two bulky male guards weilding bullwhips to whip them if they get out of line on their little field trip. they are brought through the "commons" which is were "recalcitrant" women are sent to be forced prostitutes. men go to get drunk and force any woman to do anything. they can do whatever they want to these women, and they can be as rough as they please. knowing these men are "vikings", you can imagine how strong they are, and how much damage they can do. one of the men (who is not her "betrothed") pulls Peggy down on his lap and she just has to sit there and let him fondle her and play with her nipples. no one steps in to stop him. the woman "leader" and the men with the bullwhips apparently are only there when the WOMEN get out of line. soooo.. a WOMAN gets BULLWHIPPED if she steps out of line, but a man? they were looking the other way and chatting while this happened.
anyway, so after that, they are led to the " dungeon of shame" where women apparently go when they keep acting up in the forced prostitution ring. the women are placed in hanging cages, mens waist high, strapped down on all fours with their legs spread wide, and blindfolded. deprived of sight and food. the men come in and can play, touch, whatever to them, and simply ask the keeper for the key to whatever cage of the woman they want, open the door, grab her hips, and pummel her. if she comes during this, she is thrown a few scraps of food to lick off the bottom of the cage.
then the "wedding" where she is forced to kneel at his feet and stare up at him and I quote "meekly, as if he is the only man in the room" which is what the woman told her to do. I can only imagine how she would be punished if her gaze strayed for a second. after the vows, the claiming. the young girl, michelle, gets to bed her "husband" in privacy because she's a virgin and her blood will be proof. peggys has to be public. now I've read about public claimings in other books, but it was as tasteful as public sex could really get, in those ones. and the other men look on with respect and longing. and the husband treats her like she's precious. this one? ohhhhh no. the men jeered and leered and laughed and stared at her naked body. which was strapped down spread eagle for all to see while he took her. the women are no more than pets to them. they aren't wives. they are broodmares.
I'm still upset and have to keep reminding myself this is just a book. this is beyond taboo. there's should be a stronger word for it.
it. was. disgusting. how these "wives" were treated. and these men "love" their "wives" but allow them to be treated thus way?
let me say that I've LOVED jaid black and her books, until this one.
Pegg is kidnapped, and touched by men who are NOT her husband and the man who is SUPPOSED to be her husband and "love" her, is okay with that.
peggy and a young girl- 18 year old VIRGIN michelle- are giving a sleeping agent, and wake up naked, bathed, and shaved. WHO knows who did this to them, or what the hell ELSE they could've done to them.
then they are paraded through town completely naked-along with all the other naked "brides". there is a woman leading them, along with two bulky male guards weilding bullwhips to whip them if they get out of line on their little field trip. they are brought through the "commons" which is were "recalcitrant" women are sent to be forced prostitutes. men go to get drunk and force any woman to do anything. they can do whatever they want to these women, and they can be as rough as they please. knowing these men are "vikings", you can imagine how strong they are, and how much damage they can do. one of the men (who is not her "betrothed") pulls Peggy down on his lap and she just has to sit there and let him fondle her and play with her nipples. no one steps in to stop him. the woman "leader" and the men with the bullwhips apparently are only there when the WOMEN get out of line. soooo.. a WOMAN gets BULLWHIPPED if she steps out of line, but a man? they were looking the other way and chatting while this happened.
anyway, so after that, they are led to the " dungeon of shame" where women apparently go when they keep acting up in the forced prostitution ring. the women are placed in hanging cages, mens waist high, strapped down on all fours with their legs spread wide, and blindfolded. deprived of sight and food. the men come in and can play, touch, whatever to them, and simply ask the keeper for the key to whatever cage of the woman they want, open the door, grab her hips, and pummel her. if she comes during this, she is thrown a few scraps of food to lick off the bottom of the cage.
then the "wedding" where she is forced to kneel at his feet and stare up at him and I quote "meekly, as if he is the only man in the room" which is what the woman told her to do. I can only imagine how she would be punished if her gaze strayed for a second. after the vows, the claiming. the young girl, michelle, gets to bed her "husband" in privacy because she's a virgin and her blood will be proof. peggys has to be public. now I've read about public claimings in other books, but it was as tasteful as public sex could really get, in those ones. and the other men look on with respect and longing. and the husband treats her like she's precious. this one? ohhhhh no. the men jeered and leered and laughed and stared at her naked body. which was strapped down spread eagle for all to see while he took her. the women are no more than pets to them. they aren't wives. they are broodmares.
I'm still upset and have to keep reminding myself this is just a book. this is beyond taboo. there's should be a stronger word for it.
August 29, 2012
Ok, but others in the series were better.
So far I've read four Jaid Black stories about the underground viking world near Alaska. This was her first one, published in 2002. I liked it, but it was not as good as the other three, published later. I gave this story 3 stars, but I gave the other three stories 5 stars each. See list below.
In this story, Peggy is an archaelogist studying Eskimo cultures in Alaska. She is kidnapped by Vikings who live underground. The Vikings' dress, culture and language is similar to that from many centuries earlier. Once she is there, she can never return to civilization because they do not want their existence known. The women in that society walk around naked or topless. She is forced to marry Wolf, one of the Viking men.
CAUTION SPOILER: There was a nice ending having to do with Peggy's mother.
Data:
Story length: 89 pages. Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: ten. Setting: present day Alaska. Copyright: 2002. Genre: erotic fantasy romance.
Viking Series:
There are four underground Viking stories which I rated as follows.
3 stars. Besieged (also in the anthology The Hunted)
5 stars. Hunter's Right (in the anthology Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down)
5 stars. Hunter's Oath (in the anthology Playing Easy To Get)
5 stars. Deep, Dark & Dangerous
Other Books:
For a list of my reviews of other Jaid Black books, see my 5 star review of One Dark Night.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
So far I've read four Jaid Black stories about the underground viking world near Alaska. This was her first one, published in 2002. I liked it, but it was not as good as the other three, published later. I gave this story 3 stars, but I gave the other three stories 5 stars each. See list below.
In this story, Peggy is an archaelogist studying Eskimo cultures in Alaska. She is kidnapped by Vikings who live underground. The Vikings' dress, culture and language is similar to that from many centuries earlier. Once she is there, she can never return to civilization because they do not want their existence known. The women in that society walk around naked or topless. She is forced to marry Wolf, one of the Viking men.
CAUTION SPOILER: There was a nice ending having to do with Peggy's mother.
Data:
Story length: 89 pages. Sexual language: erotic. Number of sex scenes: ten. Setting: present day Alaska. Copyright: 2002. Genre: erotic fantasy romance.
Viking Series:
There are four underground Viking stories which I rated as follows.
3 stars. Besieged (also in the anthology The Hunted)
5 stars. Hunter's Right (in the anthology Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down)
5 stars. Hunter's Oath (in the anthology Playing Easy To Get)
5 stars. Deep, Dark & Dangerous
Other Books:
For a list of my reviews of other Jaid Black books, see my 5 star review of One Dark Night.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
December 1, 2012
I'm not quite sure what to think of this book. I've read a few books in the "kidnap the ladies and hold them hostage until they love us" genre and I'm torn on how I feel about them. With this book, I get that it's a way of life for these people and they've been stealing brides for hundreds of years but... I don't know. I think I'm more disturbed by the way the brides are lied to by their trainer than anything else. I mean, would it have killed anyone to be all "Oh, by the way, our secret society must remain secret so you're never going to be allowed to leave"? That might be a little harsh, but at least it's the truth. Scaring people to death with blatant lies and stripping them of their will is kind of skeevy, don't you think? Maybe that's just me.
I did like the Wolf/Peggy interactions. I thought he had a core of decency and he was taken with Peggy from the first time he saw her. Sure, he was kind of stalker-esque but who isn't nowadays?
The sexy times were excellent and the idea of a group of people living in secret below the ice pretty much rocks. I just had an issue with the lying. THE LYING, GUYS! I don't like the lying.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
I did like the Wolf/Peggy interactions. I thought he had a core of decency and he was taken with Peggy from the first time he saw her. Sure, he was kind of stalker-esque but who isn't nowadays?
The sexy times were excellent and the idea of a group of people living in secret below the ice pretty much rocks. I just had an issue with the lying. THE LYING, GUYS! I don't like the lying.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 24, 2016
Two very good different short stories. Each one best than the other...
July 7, 2011
Peggy Brannigan is working on her dissertation about the indigenous people of Alaska. While traveling outside of the community for supplies, a young boy from her host family becomes alarmed that Peggy is being hunted. After further questioning, she discovers that there are rumors amongst the people, forbidden from being spoken aloud, about savage men who hunt and steal women.
Although she is frightened by the experience and information, she still takes a risk that she shouldn’t. As a result, Peggy is indeed kidnapped by several vile Nordic-looking men - only to be rescued later by another equally frightening and enormous Nordic man. Her rescuer, Geirwolf (loved that name for a warrior btw), brings her to his hidden underground Viking land, where her only hope of survival lies in becoming his breeding mate. Is it possible to find love and happiness in such a place?
I have recently become quite obsessed with Jaid Black’s stories. She definitely knows how to create a masculine, honorable, warrior of a male character (the best kind!!) Although her books are a little on the short side for my taste, they are very sexy and have wonderful characters. This Viking world she has created is unique and a lot of fun to read about.
Usually, if I have a complaint about an erotic fantasy-romance book, my complaint is that the dialog tents to sound B-movie-ish or soap-opera-ish. Black’s writing is NOT like that, which is why I will keep coming back for more.
Recommended for fans of Fantasy-Romance and Erotica. This is definitely adult reading only.
Although she is frightened by the experience and information, she still takes a risk that she shouldn’t. As a result, Peggy is indeed kidnapped by several vile Nordic-looking men - only to be rescued later by another equally frightening and enormous Nordic man. Her rescuer, Geirwolf (loved that name for a warrior btw), brings her to his hidden underground Viking land, where her only hope of survival lies in becoming his breeding mate. Is it possible to find love and happiness in such a place?
I have recently become quite obsessed with Jaid Black’s stories. She definitely knows how to create a masculine, honorable, warrior of a male character (the best kind!!) Although her books are a little on the short side for my taste, they are very sexy and have wonderful characters. This Viking world she has created is unique and a lot of fun to read about.
Usually, if I have a complaint about an erotic fantasy-romance book, my complaint is that the dialog tents to sound B-movie-ish or soap-opera-ish. Black’s writing is NOT like that, which is why I will keep coming back for more.
Recommended for fans of Fantasy-Romance and Erotica. This is definitely adult reading only.
December 16, 2018
This is the same book as Hunted, but the title was changed on the Kindle book.
March 10, 2020
Besieged
Peggy is working in the frozen tundra for her studies.
She is kidnapped by a nasty clan of Vikings to be sold but is then saved by Wolf’s clan, the good ones.
Wolf has been hunting Peggy since first setting eyes on her. He wants her for his wife.
Peggy, being a modern woman, struggles with her husband’s beliefs and wants, but not for long.
A very simple yet entertaining read with a fair amount of cave man behaviour/ rules and lifestyle with a lot of sexual jinks.
Four clans of Vikings living in the frozen waste of Alaska. Only one clan is honourable in its treatment of women.
They live in a huge interlinked cave system and are pretty self sufficient.
Due to prophesies stated by the elders, they have to stay underground for 1000 years and there is going to be a shortage of women up above.
The men go outside to hunt, but they are also hunting and claiming brides from the outside world.
To get the full overall story you need to read all the books and I must say it gets very interesting, especially in regards to the shortage of women prophesy.
I read this series many, many, years ago, back when I did short or just star reviews from the back of books if available.
Seeing this in Kindle Unlimited was a bit of a shock.
I am positive the story has not changed, only the series title has gone from VIKING UNDERGROUND to WARLORDS OF THE VIKING UNDERGROUND.
I remember enjoying this the first time round except for the over use of a certain c word.
Even though I enjoyed this again, even with that c word, I found myself eye rolling a bit more. Maybe as I remembered the storyline fairly well.
Still, I will read the rest if they come into KU.
Peggy is working in the frozen tundra for her studies.
She is kidnapped by a nasty clan of Vikings to be sold but is then saved by Wolf’s clan, the good ones.
Wolf has been hunting Peggy since first setting eyes on her. He wants her for his wife.
Peggy, being a modern woman, struggles with her husband’s beliefs and wants, but not for long.
A very simple yet entertaining read with a fair amount of cave man behaviour/ rules and lifestyle with a lot of sexual jinks.
Four clans of Vikings living in the frozen waste of Alaska. Only one clan is honourable in its treatment of women.
They live in a huge interlinked cave system and are pretty self sufficient.
Due to prophesies stated by the elders, they have to stay underground for 1000 years and there is going to be a shortage of women up above.
The men go outside to hunt, but they are also hunting and claiming brides from the outside world.
To get the full overall story you need to read all the books and I must say it gets very interesting, especially in regards to the shortage of women prophesy.
I read this series many, many, years ago, back when I did short or just star reviews from the back of books if available.
Seeing this in Kindle Unlimited was a bit of a shock.
I am positive the story has not changed, only the series title has gone from VIKING UNDERGROUND to WARLORDS OF THE VIKING UNDERGROUND.
I remember enjoying this the first time round except for the over use of a certain c word.
Even though I enjoyed this again, even with that c word, I found myself eye rolling a bit more. Maybe as I remembered the storyline fairly well.
Still, I will read the rest if they come into KU.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2018
Ok book
It was a good book, didn't like some of the implied threats (although later proven to be false!) as it colored my view of the story/characters! By the end I was rooting for Wolf and Peggy to make it! Although it was never fully explain why wolf wanted or like Peggy so much, for a person and population that is so vested in the old ways just how is it he knew who she was before he even kidnapped her? I was very happy to get extra information on Michelle and Ragnar, and happy that Peggy got her Wish by the end of the book
It was a good book, didn't like some of the implied threats (although later proven to be false!) as it colored my view of the story/characters! By the end I was rooting for Wolf and Peggy to make it! Although it was never fully explain why wolf wanted or like Peggy so much, for a person and population that is so vested in the old ways just how is it he knew who she was before he even kidnapped her? I was very happy to get extra information on Michelle and Ragnar, and happy that Peggy got her Wish by the end of the book
February 3, 2019
Pretty disappointed in this book.
Not the best. I am a huge Kresley Cole fan; I really enjoy her writing style - regardless of character romance. Tried this out as I have ran out of things to read and was not impressed. I was never really able to lose myself in the story, more like I struggled through it. I would have liked a lot more character development and a more believable back story to explain the current day setting.
Not the best. I am a huge Kresley Cole fan; I really enjoy her writing style - regardless of character romance. Tried this out as I have ran out of things to read and was not impressed. I was never really able to lose myself in the story, more like I struggled through it. I would have liked a lot more character development and a more believable back story to explain the current day setting.
October 6, 2018
4.4 stars
Very interesting and we'll thought out story. I liked the idea of this hidden world and people and their customs. I never would have thought of it in a million years and is precisely why I love books.
I'm not sure why the reviews were so extreme because this was in no way dark by dark standards.
Very interesting and we'll thought out story. I liked the idea of this hidden world and people and their customs. I never would have thought of it in a million years and is precisely why I love books.
I'm not sure why the reviews were so extreme because this was in no way dark by dark standards.
January 2, 2022
Ivara and the women who collude with her in her lies should be whipped to death
The males in this book should also be fucking castrated lol
Heroine is a weak spineless bitch and hero is a rapist in a fucked up culture that should, no lies, be nuked
The males in this book should also be fucking castrated lol
Heroine is a weak spineless bitch and hero is a rapist in a fucked up culture that should, no lies, be nuked
March 28, 2018
Sieged!
1st in series about Vikings. Great quick read! Plenty of action with lots of steamy scenes thrown in. Loved it!
1st in series about Vikings. Great quick read! Plenty of action with lots of steamy scenes thrown in. Loved it!
June 29, 2024
DING DING DING! And the worst book of the year award goes to....BESIEGED BY JAID BLACK!!!
September 22, 2012
“Thousands of years ago, by edict of the gods, several Viking clans fled to the harsh, wintry Arctic and built a civilization deep below it in the earth’s belly. The prophets warned them to keep to themselves, to stay below the ground, for one day the perverse Outsiders – those who dwell above the ground – would taint the laws of the gods and destroy themselves in the process. And then, once again, the Vikings would rule the entire world.
The modern Alaskan tundra is a rugged, largely unexplored terrain. The three kingdoms of the Underground, New Sweden, New Daneland and New Norway, continue to thrive, their ways and cultures untainted by time. The Vikings never go above the ground, with one great exception. They venture into the world of the Outsiders to hunt… Women.”
And so begins a new series by Jaid Black. The author introduces a world which to modern Western civilisation seems quaint and filed with contradictions. It’s a world of old customs and religion, primitive dwellings and technological inventions, a world were women are kidnapped or bought, yet cherished and valued, and finally – a world of traditional gender divisions (men are the protectors and providers, women take care of the household). And yet, even though the modern girl in us finds it sexist, ridiculous and unbearable somehow when you dive into this world filled with mutual respect and unquenchable passion we are immediately enthralled.
The series comprises four novellas released by various publishers hence the erotic tone and explicity varies. You can easily find the short plot description online so in here I’ll just quickly list the books that comprise the series. Book 1, Besieged (in The Hunted anthology with JW McKenna) published by Ellora’s Cave is not surprisingly the most sexually explicit since the publishing house is known for its steamy novels. Book 2, The Hunter’s Right (in Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Melanie Rowan) is probably the least steamy of all four books. It introduces us to the New Sweden on the verge of The Revolution. However, the details are not revealed until Books 4. Book 3, Hunter’s Oath (in Playing Easy to Get anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kresley Cole) has been already reviewed in this blog. The plot focuses on one of the outer colonies of New Sweden hence the political turmoil is only mentioned in a background. Book 4, Deep, Dark and Dangerous from Pocket Books, is a self-standing novel. It happens parallel to Book 2 and focuses more around the nitty-gritty of the Revolution.
I suppose the most controversial aspect is the inital act of procuring the future bride, be it kidnapping or a bride auction. Furthermore, in order to get away with it and persuade the women to stay and give the new union a try the men use psychological tricks and coercion, not far better than Pavlov’s infamous dogs, and still somehow you can’t really stay mad at them. They truly believe that in capturing a bride they show stealth and cunningness, combined with physical strength and bravery they combine the essence of a warrior. In their culture the notion of marital love and happiness is romantised and the bride is the centre of warrior’s world, hence her happiness is the ultimate goal and as important to them as their honour. I believe this is the detail which eventually gets to every heroine. Of course the fact that each of them looks like a demigod, with beautiful, large bodies, filled with virility, stamina and sexual proweness is not a bad deal.
What I enjoyed most in all books was the fact that the characters are mature in their years and experiences and the process of them finding the way to each other after the rocky beginning (i.e. kidnapping) leads through conversation, mutual understanding and tolerance (and, yes, some psychological coercion). Combine that with sexual attraction (let’s face it – who wouldn’t be attracted to a 6ft8in demigod, kidnapping be damned) and you have a recipe for a strong and passionate love. Let me assure you here that the books deserve their erotic nomenclature – the sex is filled with passion and skilfully described, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. However, as mentioned above, the level of sexual explicitness depends on the publisher.
I will not voice any comment regarding the traditional role division since it’s a reoccurring motive in all romantic novels be it a Greek billionaire, Earl of Sth Sth or a Vampire King. A woman end up in a sack with a well-off handsome devil and let’s face it – it’s difficult to concentrate on Kamasutra, when Thames Water is cutting off your water supply.
I must say that I’m really looking forward to Book 5 which, according to Jade Black’s website, will be release sometime in 2013.
The modern Alaskan tundra is a rugged, largely unexplored terrain. The three kingdoms of the Underground, New Sweden, New Daneland and New Norway, continue to thrive, their ways and cultures untainted by time. The Vikings never go above the ground, with one great exception. They venture into the world of the Outsiders to hunt… Women.”
And so begins a new series by Jaid Black. The author introduces a world which to modern Western civilisation seems quaint and filed with contradictions. It’s a world of old customs and religion, primitive dwellings and technological inventions, a world were women are kidnapped or bought, yet cherished and valued, and finally – a world of traditional gender divisions (men are the protectors and providers, women take care of the household). And yet, even though the modern girl in us finds it sexist, ridiculous and unbearable somehow when you dive into this world filled with mutual respect and unquenchable passion we are immediately enthralled.
The series comprises four novellas released by various publishers hence the erotic tone and explicity varies. You can easily find the short plot description online so in here I’ll just quickly list the books that comprise the series. Book 1, Besieged (in The Hunted anthology with JW McKenna) published by Ellora’s Cave is not surprisingly the most sexually explicit since the publishing house is known for its steamy novels. Book 2, The Hunter’s Right (in Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Melanie Rowan) is probably the least steamy of all four books. It introduces us to the New Sweden on the verge of The Revolution. However, the details are not revealed until Books 4. Book 3, Hunter’s Oath (in Playing Easy to Get anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kresley Cole) has been already reviewed in this blog. The plot focuses on one of the outer colonies of New Sweden hence the political turmoil is only mentioned in a background. Book 4, Deep, Dark and Dangerous from Pocket Books, is a self-standing novel. It happens parallel to Book 2 and focuses more around the nitty-gritty of the Revolution.
I suppose the most controversial aspect is the inital act of procuring the future bride, be it kidnapping or a bride auction. Furthermore, in order to get away with it and persuade the women to stay and give the new union a try the men use psychological tricks and coercion, not far better than Pavlov’s infamous dogs, and still somehow you can’t really stay mad at them. They truly believe that in capturing a bride they show stealth and cunningness, combined with physical strength and bravery they combine the essence of a warrior. In their culture the notion of marital love and happiness is romantised and the bride is the centre of warrior’s world, hence her happiness is the ultimate goal and as important to them as their honour. I believe this is the detail which eventually gets to every heroine. Of course the fact that each of them looks like a demigod, with beautiful, large bodies, filled with virility, stamina and sexual proweness is not a bad deal.
What I enjoyed most in all books was the fact that the characters are mature in their years and experiences and the process of them finding the way to each other after the rocky beginning (i.e. kidnapping) leads through conversation, mutual understanding and tolerance (and, yes, some psychological coercion). Combine that with sexual attraction (let’s face it – who wouldn’t be attracted to a 6ft8in demigod, kidnapping be damned) and you have a recipe for a strong and passionate love. Let me assure you here that the books deserve their erotic nomenclature – the sex is filled with passion and skilfully described, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. However, as mentioned above, the level of sexual explicitness depends on the publisher.
I will not voice any comment regarding the traditional role division since it’s a reoccurring motive in all romantic novels be it a Greek billionaire, Earl of Sth Sth or a Vampire King. A woman end up in a sack with a well-off handsome devil and let’s face it – it’s difficult to concentrate on Kamasutra, when Thames Water is cutting off your water supply.
I must say that I’m really looking forward to Book 5 which, according to Jade Black’s website, will be release sometime in 2013.
March 19, 2025
Read June 2023
4 stars (the beginning) ⤵
3 stars (towards the middle) ⤵
2 stars (the middle and towards the end) ⤵
1 star (the end)
🟰
2.5 stars
The story started out well. Thanks to the author's writing ability, it flowed smoothly and instantly captured my interest. I thought it was going to be a great read.
Peggy (29) is in Alaska studying the indigenous people there. She's close to getting her Ph.D. in anthropology. She hears a legend about the stone dwellers who steal women of breeding years. She finds out it's true when she's kidnapped. The kidnappers plan to sell her to one of their clansmen.
Geirwolf Valkraad (34) will one day rule the Valkraad clan, after his father dies. He's had his eye on Peggy for weeks before he rescues her from her kidnappers, and steals her for himself. He takes her deep into the Arctic, to a remote and harsh place, where his people dwell in underground caves.
His Viking ancestors sailed to the area around 950 A.D. in their longboats, bringing their old Norwegian ways with them. Among the four clans in the region, the Valkraad clan is unique for stealing brides, while the others simply kidnap women and sell them.
Once Peggy is taken underground, the story takes a dark turn. Although she initially wants to escape, she is conditioned and trained, eventually developing Stockholm Syndrome after being held in a breeding stall for months. Bored and isolated, she spends her time with Geirwolf. His kindness and patience, combined with the conditioning, causes her to fall for him after she gets pregnant.
What I Strongly Disliked:
☹ All the women are kept naked, while the men get to wear clothes. They are underground in the Arctic, and there's no mention of warm fires or a heating system.
☹ They are many miles away from the indigenous tribes and rely on dogsleds for transportation. Despite this, they have bartering stalls that function like stores. It's unclear how they manage to get supplies and keep their clan hidden from the rest of the world, especially since they are constantly kidnapping women.
☹ Peggy is an intelligent, college-educated woman who finds herself isolated, reduced to socializing, bartering, and having babies while completely naked. The rushed ending was my least favorite part, showing the bleakness of her new life. I would personally hate being trapped underground for the rest of my life; even the rare chance to step outside wouldn’t be enjoyable in such a harsh environment.
🤷♀️ Thankfully, somehow Peggy's mom is kidnapped and brought there to live. So she can be naked as well, claimed by a barbarian, and have a baby. That's better than her mom having to clean houses for a living, and never knowing what happened to her only child. 🙄
😤 Geirwolf is a hunky, blond viking. At the start I really liked him, but he wasn't willing or able to make things better for Peggy. She had to accept her new life, while he got his desired voluptuous broodmare.
HEA. Peggy is happy with her subjugation.
🍆 The sex scenes are okay. They're on the porny side and didn't add much to the story, so I skimmed them.
🤢 - the word "cunt"
4 stars (the beginning) ⤵
3 stars (towards the middle) ⤵
2 stars (the middle and towards the end) ⤵
1 star (the end)
🟰
2.5 stars
The story started out well. Thanks to the author's writing ability, it flowed smoothly and instantly captured my interest. I thought it was going to be a great read.
Peggy (29) is in Alaska studying the indigenous people there. She's close to getting her Ph.D. in anthropology. She hears a legend about the stone dwellers who steal women of breeding years. She finds out it's true when she's kidnapped. The kidnappers plan to sell her to one of their clansmen.
Geirwolf Valkraad (34) will one day rule the Valkraad clan, after his father dies. He's had his eye on Peggy for weeks before he rescues her from her kidnappers, and steals her for himself. He takes her deep into the Arctic, to a remote and harsh place, where his people dwell in underground caves.
His Viking ancestors sailed to the area around 950 A.D. in their longboats, bringing their old Norwegian ways with them. Among the four clans in the region, the Valkraad clan is unique for stealing brides, while the others simply kidnap women and sell them.
Once Peggy is taken underground, the story takes a dark turn. Although she initially wants to escape, she is conditioned and trained, eventually developing Stockholm Syndrome after being held in a breeding stall for months. Bored and isolated, she spends her time with Geirwolf. His kindness and patience, combined with the conditioning, causes her to fall for him after she gets pregnant.
What I Strongly Disliked:
☹ All the women are kept naked, while the men get to wear clothes. They are underground in the Arctic, and there's no mention of warm fires or a heating system.
☹ They are many miles away from the indigenous tribes and rely on dogsleds for transportation. Despite this, they have bartering stalls that function like stores. It's unclear how they manage to get supplies and keep their clan hidden from the rest of the world, especially since they are constantly kidnapping women.
☹ Peggy is an intelligent, college-educated woman who finds herself isolated, reduced to socializing, bartering, and having babies while completely naked. The rushed ending was my least favorite part, showing the bleakness of her new life. I would personally hate being trapped underground for the rest of my life; even the rare chance to step outside wouldn’t be enjoyable in such a harsh environment.
🤷♀️ Thankfully, somehow Peggy's mom is kidnapped and brought there to live. So she can be naked as well, claimed by a barbarian, and have a baby. That's better than her mom having to clean houses for a living, and never knowing what happened to her only child. 🙄
😤 Geirwolf is a hunky, blond viking. At the start I really liked him, but he wasn't willing or able to make things better for Peggy. She had to accept her new life, while he got his desired voluptuous broodmare.
HEA. Peggy is happy with her subjugation.
🍆 The sex scenes are okay. They're on the porny side and didn't add much to the story, so I skimmed them.
🤢 - the word "cunt"
July 1, 2020
(Explícito). Bueno, un buen universo echado a perder. Me refiero a eso de los habitantes de Nueva Noruega resguardados bajo tierra a través del paso del tiempo, como si estuvieran todavía en el siglo IX, pero estando en siglo XXIy conservando sus costumbres medievales (y primitivas), me pareció algo salvaje. Al principio fue emocionante todo eso sobre los moradores de las rocas, solo que nunca se confirmó nada. Geirwolf, que puedo decir, fue todo lo contrario a lo que pensé que sería: todo un bárbaro, fue todo lo contrario, el se enamoró rápidamente de Peggy y fue muy paciente y amable con ella desde el principio. Y Peggy, estuvo más o menos, sentí que tenía un espíritu fuerte y que haría todo lo necesario para sobrevivir, le costó un poco de tiempo aceptar sus sentimientos pero tenía toda la razón: Geirwolf la había secuestrado, aunque la rescató de sus primeros secuestradores (nunca se supo qué pasó con la nota/mensaje que Geirwolf le pidió a su hermano que enviara al clan de esos secuestradores). Lo que no me gustó de Peggy es que se va a quedar sin labio inferior de tanto mordérselo y mordisquearlo, fue muy desesperante. En Nueva Noruega las mujeres van desnudas, lo de las jaulas y eso sí me pareció muy gráfico (en el sentido de lo que representaban) pero eso fue aclarado) ... No me gustó, apenas esta pasable la historia, tiene un universo que para mi no se orientó de una manera que me hubiera gustado, es muy corto y con final feliz (hola síndrome de Estocolmo). Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas. ...
December 2, 2018
I started reading the Vikings Underground along time ago, years I think now. Although, I did not read them in order, I still liked that they stood on their own. Now, these books are like my trashy addiction that I really enjoy to read for fun. But, finally reading the first of the series, I could not have not enjoyed this any less. I don't know if it's because I'm an adult woman now or that this first book was so drastically different from the rest of the series (in the way how the "brides" were taken, not stolen taken in the physical sense of the word). Along with a lot of tiny things that really ticked me off, to the point I was not having any fun reading Besieged. I even tried reading a different book by Jaid Black from a different series, but I wanted to scream. It was making me even madder then I was, because it was taking all my joy at the idea of the book being trashed and could have been told in such a better way (as I think this one could have been too).
February 5, 2025
So erm, where to start. This must be fantasy-erotica. I think I liked the idea of the heroine being an anthropologist in northern Alaska, studying culture there when she is kidnapped and taken to a secret, ancient viking settlement underground. Coool idea!
Poor Peggy gets taken by two old slave traders who maul her which she seems unbelievably stoic about. Then she's sort of rescued by a more good looking viking who fondles her against her will.
Then she is trained to be his wife by being shown the alternative on offer. Erotic or scary? Scary or erotic?
Then she says I do and gets rogered in public whilst everyone gets a good eyeful.
Happy Ever After guys!!! I found this ridiculously delightful and have reread it twice!
Poor Peggy gets taken by two old slave traders who maul her which she seems unbelievably stoic about. Then she's sort of rescued by a more good looking viking who fondles her against her will.
Then she is trained to be his wife by being shown the alternative on offer. Erotic or scary? Scary or erotic?
Then she says I do and gets rogered in public whilst everyone gets a good eyeful.
Happy Ever After guys!!! I found this ridiculously delightful and have reread it twice!
April 17, 2017
This story is INCREDIBLY hot erotica.
Bride kidnapping, underground vikings in our world preparing for some kind of foretold biological catastrophe. (These stories actually lead into the 'Death Row' series by Jaid Black)
The Underground viking world is short on women. There are slavers who find them and bring them to the underground systems and auction them off to their husbands.
There is forced/non-concentual oral/digit sex & intercourse performed on Peggy by both the slavers who capture her and by Wolf.
Although the physical aspect of the story is hot, there was still a sweet love story that was slowly developed between Peggy & Wolf.
Bride kidnapping, underground vikings in our world preparing for some kind of foretold biological catastrophe. (These stories actually lead into the 'Death Row' series by Jaid Black)
The Underground viking world is short on women. There are slavers who find them and bring them to the underground systems and auction them off to their husbands.
There is forced/non-concentual oral/digit sex & intercourse performed on Peggy by both the slavers who capture her and by Wolf.
Although the physical aspect of the story is hot, there was still a sweet love story that was slowly developed between Peggy & Wolf.
May 29, 2016
I read this before reading the Death Row Trilogy... And it's also been a week since I read it, so my memory is fuzzy.
But.... raaaaaaape. Definitely Rape. But then it's Jaid Black, and she likes rape.
Interesting take... however, I had some problems.
Arctic circle. Underground caves.
NO mention of thermal heating. Only a single 'ice covered door' between them and the outside.
All the women run around naked, at all times.
My disbelief can only be suspended so much.
I was on board with her falling in love with her 'hunter'.
I was on board with her mother being happy there.
But the temperature is what got me.
But.... raaaaaaape. Definitely Rape. But then it's Jaid Black, and she likes rape.
Interesting take... however, I had some problems.
Arctic circle. Underground caves.
NO mention of thermal heating. Only a single 'ice covered door' between them and the outside.
All the women run around naked, at all times.
My disbelief can only be suspended so much.
I was on board with her falling in love with her 'hunter'.
I was on board with her mother being happy there.
But the temperature is what got me.
December 16, 2019
Kidnapped and Loving It !
I love this book ! It's the first of four books of Viking romantic books . It's fast paced , well written, and hot enough for the pages to catch on fire in this insta- love book ! This is for adults only due to sexual panty dropping content . I can't wait to read the next books . A Viking named Wolf kidnapped Peggy and took her to his people's secret underground cave in frozen Alaska to breed her as part generations have done . Let the fantasy begin ! This is an honest review without any reparations from the author or publisher . I got the book from kindle unlimited . ENJOY the book !!!!
I love this book ! It's the first of four books of Viking romantic books . It's fast paced , well written, and hot enough for the pages to catch on fire in this insta- love book ! This is for adults only due to sexual panty dropping content . I can't wait to read the next books . A Viking named Wolf kidnapped Peggy and took her to his people's secret underground cave in frozen Alaska to breed her as part generations have done . Let the fantasy begin ! This is an honest review without any reparations from the author or publisher . I got the book from kindle unlimited . ENJOY the book !!!!
December 30, 2011
I enjoyed this story. I wish it had been longer because things moved a bit too fast, but all things considered the character development was pretty good for the number of pages. The plot was ok, it could have used some work but given the genre I wasn’t too preoccupied with it. Besieged is good for what it is, the characters are fun to follow and the culture is interesting although I would have really liked to see more of the secret New Norway.
March 26, 2016
The sex in this book does not make up for the premise. The sex scenes are just ok, nothing unique or interesting. I understand that this is a fantasy book, but I can't imagine any woman being interested in or alright with having this type of fantasy. We women don't need anymore stories like this, it's unhealthy. I think erotic books should leave you feeling sexually empowered. This book absolutely does not do that, not one bit. Having read it I just feel sad and desolate.
January 24, 2011
in the begining i was sure it would be an awful and boring book against women and supporting some male pigs around the world who think that the female sex is lower than them, but then i came to love it and in the end i alost cried that i didn't have to read something more! it was absolutely great and i want to read more!
November 30, 2012
Well that was definitely an experience. Classic literature this is not but if you are looking for a fast (and hot) read, you can't go wrong here. Parts were definitely eye-rollingly silly, interspersed with a few WTF moments, but taking it for what it is - definitely erotica - it's certain to entertain you. And your significant other. *grins*
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
November 1, 2011
This book was a very interesting story. First of all it was very short only 200 pages. So the concept of a women getting kidnapped and then falling in love in 200 pages wasn't quite convincing for me. There wasn't enough fight with her. The story though was interesting and different then from what I am used to. I would give it more like 2 and 1/2 stars.
December 23, 2011
I love Jaid Black... but I have mixed feelings about this one. The story was very hot and sexy, when it was between Peggy and Wolf, the other sexual parts are what is giving me mixed feelings, I didn't like those parts even though they were few, which is the reason for the 3 star rating, which is an unusual rating for me to give this author. I loved Wolf though ;)
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