She is the last human. And she’s mine.The year is 3232. I prepare to descend upon humanity and take what my kind have taken for thousands of years: any female I please.But the Earth I find is not the Earth I remember.The humans are gone.Their cities destroyed.I mourn a lost species…Until I find her.A girl I name One.One female left from billions.One precious gift from a dying planet.One I will … billions.
One precious gift from a dying planet.
One I will make my own.
I will possess her.
I will protect her.
I will never let her go.
MINE is a standalone novel set in USAT Bestseller Loki Renard’s new romantic sci-fi universe.
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OMG!! Loki Renard is one of my one-click authors so it was a no brainer for me when I was offered this ARC but what a surprise it turned out to be. In my premeditated mind, I thought I was getting one thing and it turned out to be something completely different. I don’t want to give any spoilers because this is an absolutely awesome book. The story will take you through an entire inventory of your emotions and then you’re left with wonder, awe, and a warm glow when it finishes. Not only that but the ending sets things up for book 2 which I’m anxiously waiting for.
What a read! Can you imagine where earth doesn’t exist anymore? It definitely could happen you never know? But just imagine being the only human and being capture by a scary alien kind of demon like but at the same a sexy alien oh wow I can definitely be the only human woman left just to get that sexy beast. But all serious I love read this series. I’m so looking forward for more of this kind of read.
Oh, I’m so glad Tarkan gets a human, too! Well that’s the very, very end. You’ll see why that’s so heartwarming once you get there and realize everything he had to go through to get to this point. You’ll be happy for him to!
The year is 3232 CE Earth reckoning. Enter Reaper the first-born and Tarkan the second-and-only-other-born of their reptilian Scythkin clutch. After just finishing an earnest mission of blood, guts, and mayhem – the typical warrior assignment – it’s time for shore leave! And what better place than Earth? As Reaper had oft said, nothing in the universe’s time/space continuum was ever so f***able as Earth females. Soft, curvy, wet, squeezably tight, and free from anything biologically weaponized like themselves. As for most sapient species in the known universe, Reaper and Tarkan transcends the usual time line. Don’t even try to understand what that means other than they can transverse the plodding rate of time in general, thus being thousands of years old without feeling that age in their bones. (For example, it had been 1300 years since they had last been to Earth, but it felt like only several months had gone by!) They plan to cruise the planet’s bars and night clubs, looking forward to scoring with the women, while the two Scythkin wine and dine the unsuspecting females while Reaper and Tarkan were disguised as nine-foot Humans names Jim (Reaper’s chosen alias) and Eric McLargecock (Tarkan’s brilliant suggestion much to Reaper’s chagrin) except… when they get there, Earth is now a biological waste dump of a dystopia filled with horrifically mutated flora and fauna. No Human for thousands and thousands of miles.
Except for one, lonely female who has survived the nightmare in a cave but is facing a slow death due to lack of natural resources. Her fate is sealed when Reaper sees her… and Tarkan accidentally destroys her makeshift water distillery. Reaper names her One… as in the only One left. After that, all hell breaks loose when Reaper claims One, endangering his sibling relationship with Tarkan who wants to finally teach his older brother that just because he was the first to hatch doesn’t mean he always gets his way… and accidentally destroys Earth and everyone/thing with it into subatomic bits.
That’s not the end of the hot mess Tarkan initiated, but the Scrythikin knows he’ll be paying for that error for the rest of his (un)natural life.
And we still have the rest of the book to go!
Length and pace: Novel-length. Pace is strange. It isn’t the usual slow plodding at the beginning… Weeeell… It could be if you’re not into this rather strange yet singular sci-fi bent on the PNR. But it kept accelerating until I couldn’t put the book down. I was quite amazed with the refreshing quality of the storyline. It certainly wasn’t anything I had ever read before, and I thought I had read it all. I guess I hadn’t.
World-crafting: I was very, very impressed at the level of world-crafting that I had to read this book twice just to understand the enormity of this venture. We Homo sapien sapiens were responsible for the other species of sapient life in the universe, but for some reason, they evolved more quickly and was out there in space, traversing vast swathes of the known universe, fighting/claiming all natural resources on the planets. Well, at least that’s what the Scythkin did. Their clutches were meant to hatch enormous ranks of the best killing machines ever to have evolved, but now with Reaper and Tarken seeing the devastation of what had been known as Earth? Well, Reaper (as the leader of his two-warrior clutch as the rest of the eggs, as well as their mum, were killed prior to hatching. Sob!!) is now considering the violation of hard-fast rules that could turn him into a pariah, a new bounty for the bounty hunter, and Tarken doesn’t want that. Talk about complexity! I’m not sure if this is a universe I want to be flung into. Hardly, even at the promise of some very delicious alien meat. Yet I am enamored by this writer’s handle on what she had created because it just makes ecological sense in Earth’s ravished biospheres by known species that just… went… crazy and evolved into habitat-wrecking machines. And how the rest of the universe had reacted (or not at all) to the plight of Earth’s bipedal population. After all, most species look upon Earth as the Mother of all panspermia, and Her children must be protected. Then Tarken steals the show… (You just have to read that part.) I’m really amazed how much I was intrigued by this very singular universe.
Characters: You can’t help but to be very sympathetic towards… REAPER AND TARKEN!!! No, this isn’t a homosexual relationship. Far from it. It’s like: “Can’t we just have two men standing next to each other without someone writing an entire book of erotica involving these two??” is my most-uttered rebel yell. Yes, the book is strictly M/F but I am so intrigued by these two broodkin’s relationship in how they were pegged to be easily overcome and killed because only the strongest survived. These two bucked up against the norm and not only survived, because the most powerful, successful warriors the Scythkin military had. So in maneuvers and spy work requiring a very small number of commandos, these two were your team! But Scythkin brood brotherhood is not that easy to understand, as their superiors soon found out. This took the story on an unusual bent, far different than your usual PNR. (This is why I really like the sci-fi subgenre of the romance novel because there are still so many new subplots to be explored and developed! Who would have thunk?) I rarely see that in contemporary romance novels, more’s the pity.
Hero/Heroine connection: Despite the preference to examine Reaper’s/Tarken’s sibling relationship, let’s not leave our heroine out in the cold. I have a lot of sympathy for her. Loki Renard really did craft a very sympathetic person in that here is a woman — the last Earth female of that planet — is not just barely surviving. She’s actually dying because of loss of her natural resources. She has lost her mother who was the one that protected her, the one that taught her how to survive the cruel environment that was only becoming more and more deadly. One is so alone that she’s even forgotten her own name (as well as so much her mother taught her).
Continuity and editing: Well, what can I say? It could have used a clean-up editor. A proofreader will not do in these cases. I still would have liked a better understanding on how this universe’s non-Earth species traversed the time continuum. I’m thinking of Einstein’s theory of time relativity in which the traveler ages slowly (because of the use of faster-than-light travel) compared to any terrestrial sentient life forms. I still have to argue with some of Einstein’s thoughts because he was terribly depressed at his conviction that we might not be able to develop faster-than-light propulsion as his theories basically say we can’t. I beg to differ because of the works of Dr. James F. Woodward at California State University at Fullerton (my alma mater!) who is now working with NASA. The research focuses on the “Mach Effect Gravitational Assist” drive, or MEGA impulse drive, in which the underlying method has been referred to as the “Woodward effect” by fellow scientists and space enthusiasts. It works on the principle that all the mass in the universe is connected, and mass on Earth is due to mass everywhere else, as explained by Dr. Heidi Fearn who has collaborated with Woodward since 2012. (“NASA Grant Supports Physics Researchers’ Interstellar Space Study” May 2, 2018, CSUF News Service) No wonder, in this universe written by Loki Renard, we were dragging behind in our space race with other species. Someone has been doing her research. I do appreciate that the writer found it necessary to spend that much time in story development.
Realism: As mentioned above, I was impressed that my suspense of disbelief was maintained and enhanced while reading. My only “speed bumps” were the problems with grammar, punctuation, and wordage, not because of concept. It is amazing how Loki Renard was able to describe such completely mind-blowing creatures and environments with the ease of a natural-born storyteller with bardic connections in her genes. This is why I follow her writings. I appreciate her ability to introduce me to new environments and species as if they could had been my next-door neighbors! I do have a bone to pick with Ms. Renard about One’s thought processes. There are so many times that One thinks like a deprived and undereducated woman, then she makes so many references to our modern-day time, utilizing on the syntax of our own context of the early twenty-first millennium. HUH??? For a woman who’s forgotten her own name, why isn’t she thinking like the person Loki is trying to convey? I consider this conveyance as poor writing technique on Loki’s part. She’s having One act like the reserved, deprived (NOT depraved!) adult with the social growth of a little child, then she uses words that someone who passed a few college-level biology courses, including Human anatomy! (Okay, I suppose if she read enough romance novels, she would pick up ideas here and there, BUT SHE HAD NO ACCESS TO THEM!) Makes no sense, especially for someone whose best friend was really a large spider that lived in a concealed cave!
Despite the above, I really enjoyed this book thought this book really needed a clean-up editor. Yes, there is an HEA (but not without a lot of hard work and heart-wrenching situations), but it is more like a HFN (happy for now). Your soul just aches that Tarken really hated seeing Reaper and One together. The younger-brother-by-mere-minutes was very envious of what his older brother has. Don’t worry! Loki puts Tarken out of his misery in the next novel!!
I recommend buying this book! Forget Kindle Unlimited! If you’re the type that likes to reread books with great storylines in them, then just buy it! As well as the following one because I read that one already, too, and enjoyed it immensely! (I’m in the middle of number three, so I’ll get back to you regarding my impressions on that one!)
Not Romantic and confusing……….DNF
So this is definitely a dark story that is full of all sorts of things that are not romantic. The story has a very hard edge to it and I just could not get into it. I have read a number of Loki Renard’s books but there have been a few where the author seems to really go to the dark and violent side of things. Additionally this story needs to go through another round or two of editing and proofreading. There are a number of issues/errors that were not only confusing but were more than annoying while reading. I am going to be truthful……………..I DNF this and do not intend to.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own so agree with them or not as everyone’s tastes are different.
I love Loki’s books, and this one is no different. I am a huge fan of alien books, and when I saw that she had written one, I knew I had to jump at it. Mine is a post apoplectic story where there is no earth left. What happened to it and all the humans? Who knows. But while Reaper and Tarkin are in the process of finding out, they come across one lone survivor.
One is not an average human, and that makes this story even more enjoyable. Nothing in this story is “normal.” It is fast passed and intriguing. I highly recommended it.
So if you love dominant aliens you are going to melt all over for Reaper! This has everything from hot alien sex, to space battles! I loved watching Reaper and One find their way.
I can honestly say that this book is truly unique. When i read the blurb, it sounded like a somewhat normal possessive alien dominating a sweet human in the sweetest of ways. The blurb is an underatatement. My jaw actually dropped during a fee scenes. Naughty and action scenes. I woukd highly recommend this book. I am going NOW to read book 2.
Happy reading!
Rating 5 stars
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this book. The story and characters were interesting. There is drama, danger, action, violence, adventure, tension, emotional turmoil and steam. I thought that Reaper and One’s story was different but in a good way.
A believable scenario with a serious addictive pull! I totally got immersed in this story! The competition between the two aliens looking for love was funny and led to some great moments of near-death drama. Okay, so I’m awful at remembering the names of the aliens, so just go with me on this one, I think I only remembered the girl’s name because it was so easy, lol. One, the heroine, had lived a sad existence and her strength to stay where she was and survive alone in her devastated world was really noteworthy. She deserved to be the one they saved and I was glad that she appreciated the act. I can’t even imagine living in a world without showers or water to drink, or what a roasted rat would taste like, so kudos to Loki for making that clear to me. I laughed out loud when the second alien got caught in his own stupidity, but I was glad for the way the book ended and I’m looking forward to the next one based on the teaser at the end.
This was a fantastic story with alien male characters that are out of this world. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, a woman is surviving in a cruel harsh environment where every living thing seeks to consume anything in order to survive. Two alien males land on Earth and become the protectors of the last human alive, a woman. She vaguely recalls a time when the Earth was more civilized via her mother’s stories. This woman becomes the center of both aliens’ attention but only one becomes her mate. The world building was spectacular, vivid images of what an Earth would be like after a cataclysmic event. There is unexplained passion and attraction, intrigue and even betrayal… this was an exciting tale that kept me engaged through all the ups, downs and spirals.
Wow, this is one fantastic story. So excited to see this author go back to sci-fi. The premise is so very creative and interesting. The characters are well written and really draw the reader into the story. I just love One, so strong and resilient. I can’t wait for the next one.
I so want to be a part of this author’s worlds. She sucks you in and makes you believe that you are in that world. In the story two aliens rescue the one remaining earthling female left on the planet. These two warrior brothers do anything and everything to protect the lone survivor of a disaster. There are plenty of sexy times in this book that is a signature of this author. I think this is going be the beginning of a wonderful series!!
This book was a fun read set in post world were the human population is basically nonexistent. We meet our characters and the book really takes off. There a lot of hot love scene great banner between the characters and I liked how possessive the warriors are be ready to get claimed.
Oh my goodness and holy smokes this was so good we get true to themselves Aliens in all their glorious form and with a sense of humor at that I loved loved Reaper and Tarken and the sassy human One. This was so original and fasinating and oh my the ending had my heart pounding YES YES it was so exciting I couldn’t get enough. The writing is fantastic and nothing left to the imagination we get it all. I loved it and I’m so excited for Tarkan.
Fantastic Alien and Human Love Story!
This is a fantastic, fast paced, interstellar alien and human love story. The story will entertain and intrigue you right from the start. It will keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what will happen next.
The main characters are fantastic and so well written that you will instantly fall in love with them. This amazing author weaves her words with absolute magic. The journey she takes us on is literally out of this world! Reaper, Tarkan and One are fantastic. They are funny and completely unique. Reaper and One’s interactions will have you laughing out loud and squirming in your seat because of their passion.
The whole story is highly entertaining and thrilling to read. I can’t wait for Tarkan’s love story to happen. He needs a mate of his own. Awesome story. Highly recommend.
When you want an alien to look like an alien: Reaper is more than just overlarge human size, he is 9 feet tall, has razors and other blade like protrusions on his body and can, with the help of a skin suit, look like a human. But actually relating to one is another matter. Looking forward to some well deserved time off, his experience in the past with Earth and it’s pleasures, is one that he remembers with fondness. And in the year 3232 Earth should be at the height of its splendor. But… no spoilers. Just a straight up science fiction story that has revenge, romance, mystery and motivation for themes. Looking forward to book 2: Tarken’s story.
This is a really fun trope to get lost in and I love seeing what authors do with it. Loki Renard hit it out of the park! She was able to pull me completely out of my reality and immerse me in a totally unbelievable one. The story is very fast-paced, but the thought and the detail that has gone into are not. The characters are well-developed and the plot is action-packed. I love that it doesn’t just focus on the relationship between the aliens, Reaper and Tarkan, and the human female that is given the name of One. There is a lot of excitement and a very well-done sci-fi plot. There aren’t a ton of sexy scenes, but they are HOT. And, like I said, the aliens look and act like aliens. For all of those who love this trope, and I know there are many, this is going to be a must read.
Destruction!
Isolation!
Survival!
Aliens!
This is one of the most well-written, far out, unusual stories I have read in a long time. It is fascinating, intriguing and totally enthralling. Reaper and Tarkin are two Scythkind broodkin (brothers) returning to Earth for what they remember as a wonderfully erotic good time. That is not what they find. Instead they discover a concealed young woman, who may very well be the last human on Earth. It is fascinating to watch the two frightening alien brothers disagree and argue over who should be allowed to bond with her. The decision causes unforeseen consequences that all three must live with.
When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Loki is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can’t wait for the next book.