Her beautiful mind was her own prison.After betrayal and abuse destroyed Liena’s dreams of becoming a Psychic Operator, she warily accepts a temporary position on Khepri, the homeworld of the bioengineered Xian Warriors. With entire Warrior units getting mysteriously wiped out, she must help devise a critical antidote. But when a buck naked, sexy as sin, Xian Warrior walks into her lab, Liena’s … her lab, Liena’s bone-deep fear of psychic contact, of touching another’s soul, doesn’t trigger with him.
The minute Raven sees Liena’s aura, he knows he has found the one. She’s broken, but he vows to fix her, and then claim her as his bonded mate. When she inadvertently sets them on the path to discovering, at long last, the human’s elusive third psychic ability, the need to mend her becomes urgent. As the strongest of her kind, she may be their only hope of saving an entire species on the verge of annihilation.
With time ticking and so many lives in the balance, will Liena overcome her trauma, or will her mind and the rescue mission descend into madness?
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What a read I love reading Raven and Liena story. Although it’s the second story to the Xian Warriors and it can be read as a standalone but I will recommend reading Legion first so you can get the experience and enjoy more of the story. Liena had difficulties sharing her abilities for what she went through but she’s still is this strong wonderful woman that gave her all of what she had and wanted in her life. And Raven that man he was the soulmate I definitely would have love to have as real as he can be love his personality his protection he has of Liena and his understanding he was just perfection. I just love this series and the world this author has created with Xian warriors I’m so looking forward for more of them.
Liena has strong psychic abilities but she’s suffering from PTSD due to a betrayal and abuse from the past. So, she goes to Khepri to assist in finding an antidote to the fight with the Kryptids. I loved her bravery, intelligence and strength to overcome her trauma. And it was great to discover the special abilities of the Asians, too!
Raven is the first trueborn Xian Warror. He’s strong, protective, patient and caring. I love his banters with the “old-timers” and his determination to help Liena deal with her issues.
I loved their relationship – the support and care, the romance and attraction were so great!
The story is another great addition to the series – there’s action, suspense, drama, danger, steam and wonderful characters.
I loved it!
The Asians get theirs! Lol so many things get answered in this book yet there are some new questions that crop up. This story just keeps gaining momentum and it’s just not stopping. Raven and Leina’s story was so amazing. I like how bad ass she and Ayana is in their own way. And yes!! We get more Doom! What can I say here? I love Doom! So happy he made a cameo for little while. This story is amazing and it’s just getting more so as the books go on. The story gets stronger and stronger. Such an amazing read!
So, book three of this series is consistent with the first installments excellent storyline and characters. I really love the authors creation of new species and the details she offers!
Wow! So nice to revisit this cool world. Liena and Raven had sparks flying right from their first glance. Really nice that Raven found his one. Poor Liena was having PTSD from some prior trauma in her past. They had such a huge challenge with her aversion to mindspeak. This Xian world is fascinatingly built by this author. There is something shady going on in the Rings of Januar. They have to protect their people from the evil Kryptid General. I spent two days engrossed in this book. I highly recommend this book. Just be warned tell your family to leave you alone so you can enjoy this exciting adventure. I can’t wait to see what else she does in the next installment.
In true sci fi superstar fashion Regine Abel offers up another thrilling instalment in this wonderful series.
If you have not read Legion: Xian Warriors Book 1.. STOP what you are doing, to enjoy this book to its fullest capacity you need to read book 1. Otherwise you are missing out on masses of world developing, back story and the pure unadulterated sci fi romance rollercoaster ride that is the Xian Warriors world.
So back to Raven… now you know me… I am a spoiler free book blogger… there is now way I’m gonna take away or diminish anyone’s reading pleasure by blabbing the book away…
BUT I will say this…it is so much more than you ‘average’ sci fi rom read… it’s cultural and relevant and believable…all attributes that make for excellent reading. I’m loving the diversity and the overarching story featuring our leading ladies. If your looking for cookie cutter TSTL damsels in distress books then look away peeps because these ladies mean business!
If you are searching for a sci fi romance to read that truly shows how ‘humans’ as a species can overcome adversity, pain and hurt whilst aiding the vulnerable ( AND kicking ass and taking names with the aid of genetically modified super solders ) theN this my friend…is the book, the series and the world for you!
With brave, self sacrificing humans and Xian Warriors… a meaty brilliantly constructed story and a wonderful, sweet and oh so spicy love story this was a veritable sci fi romance banquet.
There are many reasons why Regine Abel is one of my all time favourite authors…the main one being she continues to write kickass books that truly check all of my ‘happy’ reader book buttons.
Raven was an absolute pleasure to read and I cannot wait to see who is next up in the series.
I felt so sorry for Raven and his unrequited love in the first book so I’m so glad he got a book of his own. I love the way this story builds on the one before and carries on from the slightly different angle of Raven’s perspective. Again this world and these characters pulled me in and didn’t let me go right till the end…I need to know what happens next…
Amount of sex 3.5 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes 3.5 / 5
Story 4.5 / 5
Overall: 4.5 / 5
Raven is the second book in the Xian Warriors series written by author Regine Abel. It can be read as a standalone romance although I do recommend that you read Legion, the first book in the series, before beginning this one. I believe it will help you gain a better foundation to fully understand and appreciate the backstories. Just know that it’s just a suggestion.
In this story, Liena has accepted a position on Khepri helping the Xian Warriors. She is one of the few ranked five psychics who are of Asian descent. After arriving, Liena is taken on a tour and she meets Raven, one of the Xian warriors. Not only is he sexy as sin, but Raven is also very naked. Their connection is immediate and pretty dang hot!
I just love the storyline! It was unique, well-developed, and smoking hot! I devoured Raven in one sitting and loved every minute of it! I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!
Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy
An amazing book!
I love this series! “Raven” reveals even more extraordinary abilities than we saw before. The battles with the Kryptids and those they’ve enslaved had me glued to my seat. Nothing is as they anticipated; they had to innovate in the fly to reach their goals.
Although this can be read as a stand alone, the reader’s enjoyment will be enhanced by reading “Legion” (book one in the series) first.
If you haven’t started the series yet, please do. You’re in for a real treat!
A unique universe and definitely unique characters. Can be read as a stand-alone but I would definitely recommend reading Legion first. I definitely fell in love with Raven. Love Regine’s works.
I am fascinated by this world that Regine has created! Some of the world building details are a bit tricky to understand but worth the effort. Raven is a sweet character you will just love. And Liena is totally strong and admirable. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
*WARNING* contains explicit adult/alien situations
This was very different. I like the psychic part of it, but this author takes psychic to past the norm. Raven is all sci-fi with fierce aliens (well described), and mind speaking across distances, not really anything in this story could be reality as we know it. I very much enjoyed the creative beings or the story. I think one is pretty unique.
Liena is working a temporary position on the homeworld of the Xian Warriors. She is a psychic but is afraid of another’s touch due to abuse. Raven meets Liena when he walks in stark naked to the room she’s inside. He immediately knows she’s his mate. Liena realizes that the fear she has with others doesn’t happen when she’s in contact with Raven. This is a beautiful story of love, past abuse and the hunky Xian warriors.
“Like a moth to a flame, my soul drifted towards the irresistible pull of him.
His soul mingled with mine, then wrapped around me in a gentle, protective hold.”
– Liena
This is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone
-but to get the full effect of the story line and a better connection with the characters
I suggest starting with Legion. (Which is still my favorite of the series.)
The Xian warriors are at an impasse, the enemy seeming to be one step ahead of them
In a desperate attempt to turn the tides of war in their favor they recruit the help of Liena
When a spark of hope presents itself a renewed sense of aspiration emerges
But before they can properly nurture the spark to a flame a grave miscalculation
thrusts the warriors into a predicament that may cost them not only the first natural born Xian
but also their newest chance of turning the tides in their favor
As horrors are exposed and alliances are questioned,
those who once believed enemies step into the role of allies
The world building in this series is magnificent, such creativity.
There are quite a few species and different character roles, but once you get them down –
The story line is easy to follow
Lots of suspense and angst with the most heart-melting of romances
The characters are so diverse and vivid.
I found it easy to connect with them, to get lost in their world.
Leina is a scientist who’s come to Khepri to help the Xian warriors find an antidote to the psychic drug that the enemy has created. She’s a rank five psychic, but cannot tolerate other minds touching hers due to years of abuse by her mentor. When Raven, a Xian warrior, meets Liena he is mesmerized by her and knows she’s the one. Liena eventually lets Raven in and he helps her to heal her mind. In addition, Liena discovers her hidden powers and is the key to unlocking them in others of her Asian descent. But will they be able to use them in time to save an entire world from the Kryptids?
I really enjoyed reading Raven! The deep relationship that develops between Liena and Raven was a delight to read. Abel is great at world-building and she shines in this book! I loved all of the characters and the interplay between them. Raven was incredibly steamy, as this couple’s chemistry is off-the-charts. I really enjoyed the battle and military maneuvers down on the planet, too! Raven was an all-around great read! 4 stars