Sci-Fi Romance – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

Warr (The Omega Collective Book 4)

First they stole her planet. Then they stole her sister…

Her twin might have surrendered to the enemy, but Max will never stop fighting the alien warriors that conquered Earth.

She’s the leader of a rebel army determined to fight for freedom and the future of the human race. The Tolath are her enemies, and she will never surrender to any of them… especially not to him.

Warr is coming… He let her escape him once. She won’t get away again.

Warr caught her scent once, and he’ll never forget it. Whoever she is, wherever she is, he’ll find her. And when he does he will learn all her secrets and teach her the consequences of running from a Tolathian general.

His mission – retrieve his target and bring her back untouched and unclaimed. But no plan survives contact with the enemy, and Max is like no adversary he’s ever faced before. She’s beautiful, dangerous… and his.

lala
3.0 out of 5 stars Warriors
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2021
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This was more like a novella. The content seemed “jerky” for lack of a better word. The story, to me, didn’t gel. This is the story of Warr and Max. Max is the sister of Serena Kinn’s mate. Max is one of the generals in charge of the rebellion. They fight to keep the alien warriors at bay unknowing that the warriors there now are there to help them. The previous warriors had brutalized them horribly. Warr meets Max the night Kinn plans to kill himself to set his mate free. He catches her on the grounds of the Citadel there to help her sister escape. But, her sister decided to stay with her mate. The storyline could have been a little better. There are sexual scenes that may offend some readers.
3 people found this helpful

Irene Talbert
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS SERIES....
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2021
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This is the fourth book in the The Omega Collective series. It's a fast-paced and standalone book that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
This is a story about a h who is the general of the resistance and the H is an alien general determined to capture her and her group of omegas.
Read to find out what happens. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this review is my own opinion.

Lexee Toste
VINE VOICE
4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the story!
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
I loved this one! It was great getting to see Max figure out how her sister could have become a "traitor". I loved getting to see Max and Warr figure things out. She outsmarts him a few times and definitely shows what a warrior she is and it causes Warr to have to rethink some things. I loved how Warr didn't take away what she was capable of. This was different than the other books as Max had a reputation that couldn't be changed once they figured out it was a female and an Omega one at that. I loved getting to see Max's strength and the way that Warr respected it. He was able to accept her for who she was rather than really trying to change her. I loved the interactions between these two and how Max was such a bad*** throughout the whole story. I am super excited to continue to read books in this series and to get certain characters ones as well. I keep getting teased with Lord Tane's book and I can't wait for it to come around. This is the fourth book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone there are certain events and things about this world that would make more sense, resonate more, if the series had been read in order. Everything needed is in the story. There is plenty of action and intrigue throughout the story and a few twists thrown in as well. I can't wait to see where the series goes next and I really hope to get more of Warr and Max and to see what role Max will continue to play as a female Omega that is a great warrior and strategist.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Rath (The Omega Collective Book 2)

He’s everything she knows to fear… but the alien warrior is her one chance to survive.

Injured, lost, and on her own, Savannah is at breaking point when help finally arrives. His name is Rath, and he’s one of the enemy… only he doesn’t act like it. He’s sexy, gentle, and his touch makes her ache for things she’s never wanted before…

He’s one of the beasts that conquered Earth – a dangerous alien in the service of a cruel and powerful Overseer. If he claims her, she’ll lose everything. So why does she yearn for his touch?

Catching his mate was the easy part… keeping her will be the fight of his life.

When Rath discovers a rare female hiding in the wastelands he knows he has to save her. She’s weak, wounded, and his… even if she doesn’t know it yet.

The law says he cannot claim her. His enemies want her for themselves. Rules won’t stop Rath from claiming his mate, and no enemy will survive if they try to take her from him.

Jennifer
4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable sci-fi omegaverse romance.
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021
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The writing and editing of the ARC version of the manuscript was clean, with no typos that I found and well constructed sentences. The world building was competent, though not as vibrant as I prefer. The characterization was well done, with both hero and heroine being sympathetic individuals with nuance. The development of the romantic relationship was sweet and hot, with a heat level of three chili peppers. The plot was tight and exciting, and as a consequence the pacing was quick. There was low angst and high stakes throughout this novel, which tends to be one of my preferred narrative structures for a romance novel. This novel used the Alien Invasion trope, the Enemies to Lovers trope, and the Mating Bond trope. The world building was three stars. The plot and pacing were both four stars. The characterization and development of the romantic relationship were also four stars. I therefore rounded up and gave this novel a combined rating of four stars. This novel ended on a Happy Ever After ending instead of a cliffhanger ending, so that was a big plus. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy omegaverse romances with some sweetness. I look forward to reading the next book in this series when it releases. I plan to buy myself a keeper copy of this novel.

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

Gigi's Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this sci-fi romance
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021
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The thing I like best about this book is the pure escapism. Yes, the scenes are described in vivid detail, but I could also get into the mindset of Savannah and Rath. POVs for the main characters are my favorite way of storytelling and both of these give us great insight into what they feel at the time and their past. Savannah is a strong independent woman in a tough situation. Rath is a gentle giant when it comes to Savannah but a mean MF when it comes to defending her. We get a little more about the Alphas and Omegas and the way they are supposed to interact, but this sweet sexy sci-fi short is basically a falling in love story in one of my favorite genres. Great read!

Jannie
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding entertainment!
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021
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I’m thrilled to find out what happens to Savannah. She is strong and resourceful. She’s wary enough to spot potential traps, avoiding danger, though she does eventually slip up.
These books are intriguing. The differences between the two opposing groups of alphas are huge. The damage done by the first group created such adverse circumstances that the omegas fight every step of the way. I recommend you read these thrilling stories to learn how Alphas of the H’thor clan entice and captivate their feisty, determined, human omegas. Outstanding entertainment!

Jan
5.0 out of 5 stars Savannah is a fighter like her mother
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021
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Savannah was taken from her mother Serena a while back. Serena is now with Var, Shield for the Lord. She was always taught to never be caught by aliens, to run, hide. But when she is caught by Rath, she is weak and in need of medical care. It takes a great deal for Rath to not take his omega but Savannah is different. They are not like their own. They are willful and stubborn. He has to build up trust with her for her to see no harm in him. I have to say the conversation in the tub. OMG was that so hot. Hell even I could think about what he said with my eyes closed. With Savannah’s past and the loss of her mother, or so she thought, made it hard for her to trust. But Rath showed kindness, love, and caring. There are times they were so close to seeing her mother but it finally worked out in the end. I am looking forward to reading about Kinn.

Var (The Omega Collective Book 1)

She’d do anything to find her daughter – even make a bargain with a beast.

Leia wants nothing to do with the aliens who invaded Earth. They’re powerful, dangerous creatures who are a threat to every surviving human, especially women like her.

When alien raiders take her daughter, she’s left with only one chance to see her again. Find one of the aliens and offer him a deal.

She never expected the beast she found would be the new Overseer’s personal bodyguard. And she never imagined what would happen when she agreed to be claimed by an alien warrior named Var…

He came to this planet as a conqueror – only to find a female who brought him to his knees.

Var’s orders were simple. Deal with a rogue warrior and protect the inhabitants of a human village. Then she ran into view…

Leia isn’t like any female he’s ever seen. She defies and confounds him, but there’s no mistaking what she is… his.

Billie Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars A New Omega
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2021
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I'm not a fan of the "omegaverse" I find it distasteful to read about women that biologically cannot say no to sex even if the guy is forcing her. (Was that a polite enough way to phrase it?) I started this book with some reservation, however this Omega I am a fan of! She has spunk and can make the choice to surrender or not. There is still the biology thing and a heat cycle, but she is not helpless. Our hero Var, he doesn't just want to conquer her, he wants to earn her surrender. So refreshing for this genre! I can't wait for the next book.
As always Mina Carter and Susan Hayes do not disappoint.

Gigi's Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars Sci-fi, fated mates, and a new “world” to experience
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2021
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Drawn in from the very first sentence, I saw myself and all of the strong women I know in Leia. When these aliens think earth women will be subservient and obedient they have another thing coming. Var is one scary MF but he proves to Leia that not all of the Tolath are like the original aliens that invaded Earth, who sent omegas into hiding afraid for their lives.

This new “world” is set up in glimpses. First the village where Leia is found by Var. Var and his air bike. The Citadel where The Lord Overseer Tane and Var live. And because we’re not force fed the facts of the changes that have taken place the story flows well. I call it the “movie effect”, I can see the action in my mind. Oh, and there are just enough sexy times to spice up the tale. I won’t call it romance exactly because it is more like instinct taking over.

This is a great start to a new series, sexy sci-fi at it’s best. Can’t wait for Rath!

Danea55
4.0 out of 5 stars An omegaverse story I actually liked.
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2021
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Var is book 1 in a new collaborative series, The Omega Collective, by Mina Carter and Susan Hayes, and it is an 'omegaverse' style story. The book is written in third person omniscient from both leads' perspectives.

To be fair, I'm not huge on the omegaverse genre, but I did enjoy the book, so hats off to the ladies for managing that. The book takes place in the wake of the hostile takeover of earth by an alien species (Tolath) whose purpose is to use human females for breeding, since they don't have enough of their own (some weird genetic quirk). One faction of the Tolath did the initial invasion, but they then proceeded to abuse their new subjects, so a different faction has come and is finishing up the process of kicking them out (read that as killing them off). So this new group is at least not the monsters of the old regime, but the humans don't know that. What the Tolath don't know, is that their genetic tinkering failed to make humans docile like it has for previous species. This series will be about the two species learning to live with one another, because at this point, neither has a choice.

Var was probably a good starting character, honestly. He wasn't royalty or nobility, so it was easier to get to know both him and his species through him than it would have been if they had started the series with, say, the overseer. I actually ended up liking him a good bit by the end of the book. Leia was a mom desperate to save her daughter, and brave enough to literally anything to succeed. I think making her an older woman probably helped start the series too, because she had some wisdom to go with her drive and it served to educate the Tolath.

This book is full of hulking alien warriors, fearsome human females, lots of action, a good heaping of steam, and some eye opening moments for some rather surprised males. A good read that won't take you long and will make you curious about the next book.

Interstellar Brides 3: Claimed By Her Mates

Desperate to escape a powerful man set on making an example of her for daring to defy him, Leah’s only option is to volunteer for the Interstellar Bride Program. She is assigned to the planet Viken, but upon her arrival she is shocked to discover that she has been matched to not one huge, handsome warrior, but three of them.

Drogan, Tor, and Lev were born as identical triplets to the royal family of Viken, but they were separated at birth in a last ditch effort to prevent a catastrophic war. In the years since a fragile peace has held, but now a terrible threat from deep space is growing more pressing by the day and there is only one way for the three brothers to save their people. They must take a mate and produce a sole heir to the throne as soon as possible.

Though being shared by three men is far from what she expected when she left Earth, Leah cannot hide her intense arousal as the brothers begin to teach her what it means to be mastered by warriors of Viken. It isn’t long before her hesitance to fully submit to her dominant husbands earns Leah a sound spanking on her bare bottom, yet even that shameful chastisement merely increases her desire for them. With her own future and that of the planet at stake, will she stubbornly resist her body’s demands, or will she surrender herself to be claimed by her mates?


Heather
4.0 out of 5 stars You're going to spank me?
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020 Verified Purchase
Umm wow. Yeah three huge very identical men share a human mate.
Leah ran to the only place she knew she'd be safe from her abusive fiancé... another planet via the intersteller brides program.
Dragan, Tor, Lev are identical triplets separated and now brought together to share a woman mated to all of them to unite Viken.
So be prepared for super SEED power(yes addictive powerful sperm), plenty plenty plenty of sex. Anal training, spankings, restraints and three on one with all focus on their female. You also get a little drama with the running for safety, attempted assassination and kidnapping thrill tossed in as well.


hip.diva.chick
5.0 out of 5 stars Three is now a magic number.
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2019 Verified Purchase
The idea of being matched as a Bridal to one man but identical triplets and their panty melting DNA wins the Trifecta. I liked the touch of political conspiracy, betrayel and the idea that instead of fighting each other, to instead fight for the planet.


Kimah74
5.0 out of 5 stars This was another good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2019Verified Purchase
This was another good book! I really like this series. This book has the bride paired with three brothers. Leah is volunteering to escape an abusive relationship on earth but on Viken she finds herself tied to three brothers who don’t know each other and are at war. Liked how the author ties the whole story together.

A P
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2020 Verified Purchase
I do enjoy these books, but I do wish the heroine would just tell that they need to explain things rather than expecting her to know what is going on. Why do they always have to get turned on by spanking? Even if they do, they don't have to accept it as a punishment for voicing there wants or asking questions. Spanking for sexual gratification is different to being hit as punishment. Great series though.
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Her Cyborg Warriors (Interstellar Brides® Program: The Colony Book 8)

When her penchant for stirring up trouble brings danger to The Colony, they’ll stop at nothing to save her.

Nothing at all.

Professional surfer Mikki Tanaka didn’t want to leave her beloved Hawaii, the ocean waves, or the vibrant sea life she’s worked so hard to protect. But her protests and aggressive tactics didn’t mesh with the law and she’s found herself behind bars. Her choice? Ten years in jail or life as an Interstellar Bride. Never one to shy away from adventure, she decides to take her chances in the stars—with not one, but two sexy-as-hell alpha warriors on The Colony.

Surnen, a Prillon Warrior and trusted doctor, has been waiting for a bride for years. Banished to The Colony, he’s given up all hope, until a black-haired Earth beauty instantly steals his heart and his breath. But the highly disciplined doctor likes protocols and control, in bed and out of it. His second and an equally ruthless warrior, Captain Trax, agrees. Unfortunately, their new mate has a wild streak, a thirst for danger, and an appetite for violence that both shocks and thrills them. When her penchant for stirring up trouble brings danger to The Colony, they’ll stop at nothing to save her.

Nothing at all.

You gotta love the warriors on the Colony. They’ve been through H#ll and came out the other side still fighting. Still willing to stand between the innocents and the evil that lurks in the dark. It was so good to see this pair of Prillons getting a mate. Even if they didn’t think it would ever happen!

Grace Goodwin is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal romance with nearly one million books sold. Grace’s titles are available worldwide in multiple languages in ebook, print and audio formats. Two best friends, one left-brained, the other right-brained, make up the award-winning writing duo that is Grace Goodwin. They are both mothers, escape room enthusiasts, avid readers and intrepid defenders of their preferred beverages. (There may or may not be an ongoing tea vs. coffee war occurring during their daily communications.) Grace loves to hear from readers

The Rebel and the Rogue (Interstellar Brides® Program Book 19)

Zenos, from the Astra Legion of Rogue 5, is on a mission to find an antidote to the deadly venom flowing through his body. Without the antidote, one bite during mating will kill a hybrid Forsian’s chosen female. Zenos must acquire the serum at any cost, for like his Atlan cousins, his mating instinct will eventually consume him. The last thing he needs is a distraction, but one look at the defiant female bounty hunter and he can’t deny his body what she’s offering—a few wild hours of pleasure.

Ivy Birkeland’s entire ReCon unit was annihilated as a result of Quell, a mind-altering drug the pirates of Rogue 5 are known to distribute. A rebel to her core, her heart still broke when she was forced to walk away from her life as a Coalition fighter. Now she hunts a bounty that will allow her to catch the criminals selling Quell and avenge her dead friends. Free of the Coalition Fleet’s strict regulations, she makes a deal with an unknown Rogue 5 operative to gain access to his home planet and travels to Transport Station Zenith to meet him.

When Ivy’s smoking hot, one-night-stand turns out to be her Rogue 5 contact, every carefully-laid plan she’s made goes to hell. Because when a rebel and a rogue are forced to work together, sparks will fly. They don’t need the criminals to kill them, they just might finish each other…if they don’t fall in love first.

Ever since we were first introduced to the people of Rogue 5, I’ve been waiting for a return to this moon. This was everything I could have wanted to read in such a story. A guy who loves so much that he denies himself to protect his love, and a girl so loyal she’s willing to do the unthinkable to protect and avenge her friends. I notice the mention of a new race in this one that seems to be compatible with Earth girls, so when are we going to meet them???

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Ascension Saga: 7 (Interstellar Brides® Program: Ascension Saga)

Because Destiny is his. His body awakened for her. And if his new mate thinks Nix will stand idly by as she suffers without his skillful lover’s touch, she is very, very mistaken…

Destiny Jones is a princess with a bad attitude. She doesn’t play nice with others, she doesn’t dress up in pretty clothes, and she has absolutely zero interest in behaving like a lady. Especially when she’s so close to catching the people who tried to have her killed. Oh, and kidnapped her mother, queen of the planet Alera. Destiny’s sex-starved body, and it’s annoying Aleran Ardor, might kill her if her enemies don’t find her first. But she’s not afraid to suffer, or risk her life to protect those she loves, but she’s terrified of risking her heart.

Vennix was trained to hunt and to kill from the shadows. After years of serving in the Hive wars as an elite member of the Coalition’s Shadow Unit, he returned home to fight for the one thing he believes in, honor. Dedicating his life to the queen’s guard was an easy decision—but watching the most beautiful woman he’s ever met repeatedly risk her life is about to drive him mad.

Because Destiny is his. His body awakened for her. And if his new mate thinks Nix will stand idly by as she suffers without his skillful lover’s touch, she is very, very mistaken…

The last of the sisters begins her story. Destiny is such a strong character, she needs a man who is just as strong. Luckily Nix seems to be exactly what she needs. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

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

Ascension Saga: 5 (Interstellar Brides® Program: Ascension Saga)

Thordin Jax always gets what he wants. He’s rich. He’s gorgeous. He’s the heir to one of the most powerful families on the planet. But when his body comes alive at the sight of Faith Jones, it will take every ounce of seduction and skill he possesses to get into her bed.

But there is a traitor under his roof. A very dangerous adversary. And his beautiful, mysterious new mate is hunting him…alone.

This is such a great pairing! At this point, I can’t wait to see how things turn out. Please tell me the rest of the saga will be coming out soon!

Claiming His Virgin (Interstellar Brides®: The Virgins Book 4)

Elite Hunter Zee is scarred from his time in the Hive war leaving him too much of a monster to seduce a beautiful, innocent virgin. Even if his Mark calls to hers, connecting them body and soul, he knows that after just one look at him and she will never surrender the three sacred virginities. Never accept him as a mate.

Blindfolded and seduced, Helen has never seen the Hunter whose voice makes her tremble. She knows something isn’t right, but she can’t say no to the mysterious and demanding Hunter whose kiss makes her burn, and whose touch makes her beg in the darkness of night.

Zee has everything he thinks he needs, until another takes advantage of his new mate’s innocence… and tries to claim Zee’s Interstellar Bride for his own.

I hadn’t always been this way. Damaged. No. One battle and I was ruined. Injured by an ion blast and pinned behind enemy lines. I’d escaped the Hive, but I’d been on the run for days and the wounds to my body had healed before I could reach a ReGen pod. There was nothing the doctors could do. I was scarred for life. Ruthless slices and mottled skin marred my face, my neck. To a female, I was hideous. The virgin brides who’d walked by were proof of that.
And yet I’d been blessed by the gods to find my Marked Mate. Other Hunters were envious of me— for that alone. My mark had guided me to her and the dreams we shared proved the bond. The way she submitted and came for me as well. But she would not want me if she saw me, saw the disfigurement. She would be horrified. Afraid. Scared of me. The one word I feared she’d utter, butterfly, would come from her lush lips and it wouldn’t be from pushing her too far sexually. It would be from a quick glance alone.
Grace Goodwin. Claiming His Virgin: Interstellar Brides®: The Virgins – Book 1.5 (Kindle Locations 347-354).

As always, Ms. Goodwin gives us another great couple! I just wish there had been more of the backstory in this book. I actually had to go through previous Virgin books to read what came before this. Not exactly what I expected to do.

The Alien’s Mate (Interstellar Brides®: The Virgins Book 0)

I’ve come to Earth to hunt down a killer, not find a mate.
But then I see her and all I can think is…MINE.
Just one dangerous problem—
My enemy knows she’s here…and he wants her for himself.

Cassie Anderson has been an orphan since the age of four. Left on her own, she grew up a hard-working, pragmatic woman of the Montana Territory, her steady employment at the Selby boarding house the only life she knows. When strange, sensual dreams drive her from her bed at night, her body heavy with desire and the scar on her palm burning, Cassie isn’t sure what to think. When the handsome stranger tempting her each night with stolen kisses and irresistible caresses suddenly appears in the flesh, she believes she’s truly lost her mind.

Maddox of Everis was born a Hunter. Second son to a powerful ruling family, he volunteers for the dangerous mission to a far away, primitive planet called Earth. His mission? To track down an evil foe responsible for his twin sister’s death. He’s come ready for the hunt, prepared to kill, if necessary, but he is not prepared for the mating mark on his hand to burn with sexual fire. Shocked but desperate to find his mate, Maddox will do whatever it takes to protect her from his enemy. He expects to find a mate eager to welcome him into her bed and her heart. But Cassie is an Earth woman, an orphan who has no idea who or what she is… not a simple cowgirl, but a descendant of ancient warriors who once colonized Earth.

Cassie is a powerful shock to his system, a woman he will do anything to possess. But when he tells her the truth, that he’s an alien bounty hunter and she’s his marked mate, she refuses to believe him. That is, until the dangerous madman he’s traveled across the galaxy to hunt finds her as well. Suddenly it’s not just Maddox’s skillful kiss forcing Cassie to rethink everything she thought she knew, but an evil alien bent on possessing her for himself. She’ll have to trust Maddox with both her life and her heart if they’re going to survive.

In the early years of my education, I’d listened about as well as the rest of my class as we were told the history of the Coalition planets, and about our home world, Everis. But now those lessons comforted me, for I knew that eons ago, people from Everis had scattered across the galaxies, colonizing new worlds. Some must have found their way here, to Earth. My mate’s presence here was indisputable proof of that.
But something must have happened to my ancestors, for there was no technology here, no knowledge of any life forms beyond their small, blue world. The people of Earth had no space travel. Hell, there was no air travel within the planet’s atmosphere. They still used simple beasts of burden for their transportation. Life was simple, primitive and yet the marked were here. Descendants.
Mates.
The Sevens would have to be notified immediately. Earth would need to be included in our next Reaping ceremony. For now, I would hunt the woman who haunted my dreams. Hunt her. Find her. Claim her.
Goodwin, Grace. The Alien’s Mate (Interstellar Brides®: The Virgins Book 0) (pp. 13-14). KSA Publishing. Kindle Edition.

About the Author

What I Thought

I originally received this book as an ARC that was authored by both Grace and Vanessa Vale, and I loved it! Today, it’s available under Grace’s name alone. While I don’t know why the change, it is still a fabulous book. It explains how all the virgins we see in the rest of the series came to be part Everis. Enjoy!