I never expected to be stranded on an asteroid with four aliens.It’s a miracle we survived, but just because we’re still alive after the crash doesn’t mean it will stay that way.One of the Athions almost killed me. I don’t trust him and I don’t think I ever will.The other Athion seems nice, but every time I look at him, I’m reminded of what his kind did to me.And the two Trads… well, things are … me.
And the two Trads… well, things are confusing. I think I like them. A lot. But I’m not supposed to fall in love with the enemy.
It would have been easier to have died in the crash. But now I’m determined to survive, no matter the cost.
The second book in the Between Rebels trilogy, a sci-fi reverse harem full of hunky aliens, space pirates and a slow-burn romance.
Planet Athion is a shared world contributed to by multiple authors. Discover more about this exciting new Reverse Harem, Sci Fi Romance series today!
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*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Wren goes through all kinds of stuff in this new installment to this fascinating trilogy. She survived the crash only to pretty much be taken prisoner being kept from her men. All kinds of twists and turns happen to the story before we come to the cliff hanger ending that makes you want the next book now. I cannot wait to see how this all ends. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars,
I enjoyed every written word of this book. The author gave us well developed and engaging characters that have plenty of chemistry. The storyline flowed smoothly making for a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have not read a bad book from this author yet and this book is no exception! The great plot and character development kept me so engaged throughout the entire book that I had a very hard time putting this book down until the very last page was turned!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Guarded By Them is book two of the Between Rebels series and it picks up where book one left off. Wren and the guys go through so much in this book and are trying to sticking together as they figure out what to do next. This is a tension filled, intense read with drama, suspense, danger, humor and a cliffhanger that left me ready for book three.
Wren wakes in yet another strange place and in enemy hands. Where are her guys? Where is she? Will she make it out alive?
When we last saw Wren, Raf, and Vuk in Stolen by Them, they were dangerously flying through an asteroid field. Suddenly then crashed or were shot upon and the next thing Wren knew was that the ship was in pieces. She heard a noise, looked, and the enemy was coming through the door about to fire on Vuk. Wren leaped over Vuk, a shot rang out, and it all faded to black….
(I am now singing “dun dun dun…” and in a horrible accent I am continuing the saga….)
Wren wakes up, in pain, and in an unknown place. Once again having no clue where she is when the enemy, the Athions, walks in to check on her. One of the, Kili, shot her in the back while she was protecting Vuk. Kion, in the meantime, has been trying to save her.
Vuk and Raf come to and realize that the enemy has Wren. Thus begins the battle for Wren’s allegiance. The Athions (Kili and Kion) believe that the Trads (Raf and Vuk) are evil and vice verse. The only common denominator that they have are their growing feelings for the human Wren.
Both ships cannot fly. The gang is stuck on an asteroid with a limited amount of supplies. Oh and the Athions are on their way to kill everyone.
It is so exciting to just type the synopsis of what happened, try reading Guarded By Them (Peryton Press, B0813Y653P, 2019) the second book in the “Between Rebels” and “Planet Athion” series by Skye MacKinnon. My heart is beating fast and I have a big goofy smile on my face – seriously.
Guarded is an exciting joy ride without the emotional intensity of Stolen. Wren’s character is getting stronger and it is nice to see the interplay between Vuk and Raf. Kili and Kion take more of center stage in this book as we get to know them and as Wren gets to know them.
Emotional bonds and built between Vuk, Raf, and Wren which is how the book now gets listed as “polyamorous” and “reverse harem”. I did not list the first book in the series with these labels as the book did not contain that relationship yet. This books certainly does not have “reverse harem” scenes, but the relationship discussions have taken place to set the stage.
MacKinnon is giving full respect to the emotional impact of the trauma that Wren went through in Stolen. There are still episodes in this book, but once again this does not have the darkness that Stolen did. There is a lot more humor in this book and an odd kind of romance.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next and final book of the “Between Rebels” trilogy. Guarded by Them is not a stand alone book – sorry. The books are quick and fun reads and I highly recommend them. So …I would say see you on the asteroid, but…(laugh).
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Absolutely love this series – different in a good way to some of the other Athion books.
If you thought the first book was good then you are in for a great time as believe it or not this book is even better but be warned both books have horrid cliffhangers which Sky is brilliant at doing. If you loved the trads Vuk and Raf ( even though you may not have wanted to) then this time she mixes it up and introduces Kili and Kion out Athions. There is instant hatred due to cultural histories but can they overcome their differences to save Wren. Sparks do definitely fly and this book will capture you from the first chapter, I couldn’t put it down and actually swore at Skye because of the cliffhanger. This is such a good book!
I need some aliens like this
This book is a continuation and picks up right after the crash in book one. Wren has to band together with her guys after they are trapped with some athions. I just really need some of these aliens to keep for myself. Looking forward to see what happens next
Gah!! These cliffhangers! I really don’t mind them, but I was super into the story. We also finally had a little heat going, so I’m really looking forward the the next book. I’m liking the new dynamic that’s happening with all of the characters. This book is really fun and a quick, easy read.
This book took an unexpected turn and ended somewhere completely different to what I had thought would happen in the series. I am super excited to see what I THINK is going to happen in the next book happen for real.
Lovely characters, wonderful plot and the ending will have you reaching for the next book. I am SO excited to read the next book and look forward to seeing how Wren’s story will conclude in the next book.
Kili recognizing he had shot Wren immediately picks her up and runs with her back to his ship. The med machine was their only hope of saving her. As he places her he is also trying to figure out how to play this. By hurting her he has sentenced himself to death, so he instead tries to pin the blame on the Trads.
Of course this doesn’t pan out the way he plans as he gets knocked out by Raf when he enters their ship again. It’s while he’s out cold that Wren wakes and panics. Once out of the machine she insists on going to the Trad ship and Kion complies. Kion learns the ugly truth that Kili had shot Wren, and works with Raf to free Vuk from the debris.
The Trad ship is uninhabitable and they all move into the Athion ship. Wren again panics seeing the similarity to the ship she was held captive and beaten on.
Wren is determined to overcome her issues and with the help of Vuk and Raf she begins to succeed. Unfortunately Kili and Kion had already sent an SOS to the Athion fleet.
Vuk and Raf would be sentenced to death for pirating so it’s agreed they will try to contact a pirate ship to get them before the Athion ship can. Wren surprises the guys at every turn with her courage, strength and resilience, traits neither the Athions or Trads thought human women possessed.
Fast-paced and enthralling as they all start working together for the best outcome for their dilemma. Some simmer with Wren and the Trads which only serves to confuse the Athions more.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Guarded by Them is the second book in Skye MacKinnon’s Between Rebels series in the Planet Athion world and wow, it is awesome; just as good, if not better, than the first. And I gotta say, the cliffhangers in both books are absolute killers! Ugh, cliffhangers are not my friend!!! I just hope book three will be available soon.
After the horrors Wren suffers in book one, we move on to book two where things begin to move more in sync; she feels more grounded, so to speak, establishes more of a rhythm in the day-to-day and bonds of trust and friendship form and strengthen, and even some light intimacy begins to bloom. However, just when Wren feels she is getting a better grip on her sanity and surroundings another terrible event occurs that throws everything into another tailspin that puts not only herself but her new friends in jeopardy.
This book is just as fast-paced and gripping as the first but feels more emotional to me. Wren has been through so much and yet has so much more to endure if there is any hope of survival or freedom. I love the storyline, additional characters, and new hurdles they face. Suspense, action, drama, emotions…it is flowing from page to page; as well as the dreaded cliffhanger that leaves you chomping at the bit to have the final book in your hands. I am so ready to see how it all plays out!
Guarded By Them: Planet Athion Series (Between Rebels Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Skye MacKinnon
I received a complimentary eARC and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
First, let me state that the Athion series is one of my favorite shared universe books. This series is based on the idea that ‘evil’ aliens, the Tradrychs invaded Earth and the ‘good’ aliens, Athion, came to save us. As is most alien-themed romances, Reverse Harems in particular, females are rare and as such much sought after. Human women are the most sought after because, for one reason or another, we can mate with the aliens.
This is the second in this series, but thankfully, Ms. MacKinnon gives us a recap so it can be read alone. I did read the first, many moons ago, so I am familiar with the idea.
Wren was kidnapped by evil versions of the good aliens who mistreated her badly and she was rescued by Trad pirates. A Custo (Custos are the elite military force of the Athion ship followed them or rather chased them into an asteroid field (reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon leading the Empire into a similar field in The Empire Strikes Back) where both ships crashed. And that is where we pick up.
Wren was injured and a well-meaning Custo Kili takes her back to her ship and the story takes off from there.
Ms. MacKinnon deals excellently with themes such as PTSD, sexual assault survival and panic attacks. She shows, rather brilliantly, that you can suffer from a mental illness but still be strong.
This is a very, very slow burner, so don’t expect more than a little second base and necking.
I’d give my left arm to see the shared document with all the various names, titles and most importantly the swear words for this world. Much like “Frack” in Battlestar Galactica, these words should enter the American/English lexicon. My favorite is Kraktz, the word for jerk. I also really enjoyed some of the plot armor and devices that made life and the story possible. They are clever and fun. There are also adorable jokes about cultural differences and naughty gestures. If I’m not mistaken, there is a couple of Star Trek references!
All in all this is a fun book and a great series. It is a short read with a cliff-hanger
4 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Guarded-Them-Planet-Athion-Between-ebook/dp/B0813Y653P
Finally, book two is here and we find out what happens to Wren, But and Raf. I was instantly hooked from chapter one. The last we knew they crashed and were getting chased by Athions. So now Wren is placed in a med bay to heal. Now we meet Kili and Kion who are Athions. So when she wakes up from the med bay and sees them she freaks. I don’t blame her. Kiki keeps some pretty vital information from Kion. So now we have Trads and Athions against each other. Can Wren change the Athions minds about Vuk and Raf? Will they see how she feels about the Trads?
To me this book felt more emotional. We get to see the beginnings of trust and friendships. We also get some mystery and maybe betrayals. There is also the slow beginnings of intimacy as well. Be prepared for for another on no you did not leave me hanging cliffy. I really enjoyed this book and all the feels that came through the pages.
***This is an advanced readers copy***