“Beyond twisted and filthy hot, Strangeways is the most unique sci-fi romance I’ve read in years!” NYT Bestselling author, Anna Zaires I have been chosen. One moment I was leaving work, the next I was entertaining a silvery-green alien intent on knowing me fully. Their invasion of our world nonviolent, seamless. They dress as human men, eat in human restaurants, vote, pay taxes, and are … seamless.
They dress as human men, eat in human restaurants, vote, pay taxes, and are controlling every last one of us.
I don’t understand how no one else can see what I see? That their beauty is a trap.
They have come here for women, intent on creating life partners—through seduction, mental manipulation, employing muscular bodies capable of fulfilling any female desire. Shaping themselves to our wants.
Until we’ve each been claimed, marked, and changed. Assimilated.
We don’t have a choice. They can make us like it. They can make us desire them. They can make us do anything they want.
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3.5 stars
I had previously read this story when it was part of an anthology. It was one of my favorites from that collection. I am a little disappointed that this wasn’t expanded on. That was what I was hoping for when I saw that she was turning it into a solo story. I would have to go back and look at the anthology but I don’t remember anything being different.
That being said, this is still good. Great world-building, an interesting storyline that could all be to close to home for me it was to happen, and an interesting ending. I would have liked to have seen more in regards to the characters because there was something under the surface and I really wanted to dive into that because it felt complex plus, I know that this author always puts little meaty morsels into her story that is up to her readers to figure out the meaning. She is evil like that.
I opened this book and that was all I knew until I was finished. One day you’re a waitress the next day gorgeous alien walks in and life as you know it is no more. That’s exactly what happens to Emily when the gorgeous, alien Phi walks in. What an absolute, ah-may-zing book!!!
This was a great, quick read. I loved the Sci-fi elements, the world building, and the pacing was good. This book was different to other romances in that it didn’t follow the typical storyline of two people meeting, dating, falling in love, etc. The story started immediately and kept that fast pace throughout the story. This book also challenges you think about wherever the main male character is the hero or villain, because he walks that thin line. And is it true happiness and love if the choice of a different life is no longer an option. Was it really a happy ending or something more sinister? In any case, I really enjoyed this book.
This is a fast and furious ride down the alien rabbit hole. Despite the brevity of the story (it’s only 144 pages) it is well developed, has strong characters, and paints a lurid picture of Earth’s invasion. Not my normal read by a long shot, Strangeways, was a fun little excursion into a new genre.
This is the updated version, originally featured in the anthology Alien Alphas. This was definitely not what I expected, but in a horrifying and enticing way. I really liked the mind control vibes and Addison Cains take on how the world could be overtaken by aliens, like a stroll in the park, no bloodshed at all.
We meet some new interesting characters (Emily the lonely subjugated human and Phi the creepy alien). I have still not decided if I like Phi or not. It was a really fantastic read. And I wouldn’t mind reading more from the intriguing universe.
I went into Srangeways expecting a bit of naughty alien fun, but wound up getting so much more! This may be my favorite alien invasion/romance story to-date. I could feel the oppressive atmosphere of Emily’s existence and her struggle not to succumb to her daily grind. Addison Cain can truly tap into the human psyche and convey her characters’ emotional experience to her readers in such a way that we wind up living it right along with them. Phi is such a mysterious (and hot!!!) presence in Emily’s life. What’s his true agenda (and that of his species), what is he doing with and to Emily? All these questions are answered and wrapped up in a satisfying HEA. My only complaint is that I wasn’t ready for this story to end!
Strangeways is novella length story, perfectly written. When I was done reading, I immediately started imagining more stories from this world. I have questions! One thing I know about Ms Cain is that she leaves some leeway for your imagination to fill in those blanks, which I am happy to do. Emily, a waitress and the object of alien Phi’s pursuit, provides the POV. On the surface, this is a love story with a tentacle or two, but there is this wonderful sense of uneasiness. I would love just a little chapter, or even a paragraph, written from Phi’s POV. I loved this piece of work & would be *so* excited to have more stories set in this world!
I received a copy of this book & have voluntarily provided my honest opinion.
I love everything I read by Addison Cain. This is a SCI-FI romance and the setting is in a congested city post alien invasion. These aliens are compatible to breed human females and this works out well for the aliens since the male humans are mysteriously dying in their early 30s.
Emily is a waitress in an upscale restaurant. She serves Phi and there is instant attraction. Phi decides to persuade Emily that she is his. The two fall into bed together and Emily realizes just how convincing Phi can be.
There’s a lot to these aliens and I don’t want to spoil the novel, but these aliens are very unique and alluring. Phi proves that he is a very good provider and the couple’s chemistry is off-the-charts. Five stars for heat, tentacles, and stripes!
What can I say, this story is unique and a Little different from other of Addison, but just as good.
Since you star reading it grabs your atention, is fast paced and so hot.
I’m really wondering about those tentacles, feelers, mmmm interesting ….
I don’t want to share much about the story, because is just short one.
But you should grab it is really good and left you wanting to know more of this futuristc Earth.
The earth is under an alien invasion and Emily is a waitress who struggles to get by. She’s got a lot of things on her mind – like the fact that the human males seem to not get much past 30 suddenly, her brother’s gambling problems along with his dependency on her to feed and house his own wife and kids.
The world-building is interesting and I liked it. Phy is one of these aliens who has invaded earth and finds Emily suitable to become his…human mate.
Phy is not like human males though…
To be honest I didn’t really see that much of the romance aspect here. I read this novella with a small sick feeling in my stomach, hehe. Not everything is as it seems and I felt that this was almost more like a thriller where not all is as it seems than it’s a romance.
Phy is caring for Emily, but as with everything, there is a reason for that. Romance has in my eyes nothing to do with his caring – there is a suspense feeling throughout – which I did like.
I felt like I was kept on my toes throughout the story and I enjoyed that.
Emily is a strong female, her mind is stronger than what he thought, among other things.
The sex is great, he’s very..shall we say…giving? hehe. But our dear Phy is not equipped like human males. 😉
There is definitely an interesting alien cock here – which I found enjoyable to read about. So shoot me – but there you have it. 😉
All in all, I decided to give this novella 3*. I did like it, but it’s not the best I have read from Addison Cain – I liked it for what it is, a short novella that had me slightly nervous about Phy’s actual intentions but at the same time kept me captivated and I wanted to read more. The sex was interesting and a “new” experience.
Normally I devour everything from Addison Cain and though I don’t think this novella is bad, it just didn’t strike me the same way as some of her other work. 🙂
Another knock out by Addison. I swear the woman could write the nutrition facts for a cereal box, and I’d want that cereal even if it were made of cardboard. I absolutely could not put this book down. It was different from her other books but it was a very good read. Again, she created a world and characters I want to visit and get to know more
Fun with Aliens, right?
Wrong!
What starts out sweet and benevolent quickly becomes an insidious, goose-flesh producing horror tale. The Stepford Wives are a kindergarten exercise compared to this story.
But what can you expect from Addison Cain?
Sweetly, horribly twisted storytelling!
Without fail!
This is a different kind of Alien romance. Yes it has the regular invasion of aliens and the main character gets steamrolled into being with an alien, but the way the story line is written in different then the others like it. This author has a way of writing that just sucks you in and you get lost the world she has built in any of her books I have read. This one is no exception!
Phi is all Alpha alien, and yummy to boot, and he wants Emily. She doesn’t think of herself as anything special and so she doesn’t understand why Phi is fascinated with her. But there IS something truly special about Emily. And Phi wants it for himself . . .
I loved the whole story and I loved how it ended as well!
One day they appear. They come in peace, there are no riots or fights. Nothing but calm acceptance. But are things really as they seem?
When Emily meets Phi everything changes.
There is a very eerie feeling in this story. While reading I kept thinking about The Twilight Zone. This story would be so perfect for it.
I absolutely loved this story.
Original Sci-fi Alien Romance!!
Rumor has it this is a rewrite of her first published story. Love this take on the arrival of aliens. Human males are dying out around the age of 40. Alien males are finding females who are compatible and working to perpetuate both species.
Totally unique, completely captivating.
This is not my usual type of genre I read but I think I may have been converted. I can picture the world as it is in the book clearly and I’ve decided I’m really in need of Phi and his unique…abilities.
Strangeways by author Addison Cain. This amazing book is part of a new series by this very talented author.
Absolutely wild- you hit sixty, you don’t even come close to zero. They arrived and they are all about your pleasure- sign me up!!! The world is a strange place and things just get stranger. What the heck- if I am live in bliss I’m sold!!
Enjoy!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I’m a bit freaked out by the possibilities this tale presented
Phi’s race arrives on planet earth and is embraced without question
Seems the humans were easily swayed with their herd mentality to accept that they had come in peace.
The path of less resistance, less thinking –
Scary how true that is
Except for a few who questioned the events – well when they were able to temporarily lift the fog that is – Our sweet Emily was one of those few who stood out amongst the flock. Also what landed her in her “predicament” I dare say.
Phi seemed to have a lot more control over events than was known.
Emily, it seemed had a painful past.
We are given little snippets of the life she may have led but again how much of that was real? (I am standing outside the flock)
Phi claims to want to give her the world, to only want her happy.
I am not sure I believe him and I truly do not think his actions reflect ensuring her happiness
I am sort of with Emily on the whole pet thing
I’m a bit upset this wasn’t a full story in the sense that as a reader I didn’t get all the answers I wanted – stingy I know.
But what stayed inside?
Why were they staring?
How were only the males affected?
(I did catch a bit of the how but I wanted the little details)
And so many more that it would take me pages to list them.
And time passed without reference
Just the haze of pain then pleasure followed again by pain
A slight fade of the scenery followed by the realization things had changed, moved forward.
But what?
It still felt unfocused –
Just out of reach.
Honestly, I am not sure if the events recalled were real or imaginary.
This is not a romance not in the true sense. I am not really sure how I would classify this.
This felt more like a glimpse at events than a complete tale
I do hope the author expands on this the possibilities are endless
Completely had no clue what to expect when starting this. Obviously with the title Strangeways, I knew it would be “strange” but it was so much more.
I enjoyed this unique tale quite a bit. It’s generally not what I dive into but it was a refreshing change. However, I do feel I am left a little wanting. This little novella was nearly not enough. I really hope this is expanded on, I would totally love more background and to see more of this alien race.
As for everything else, the pace was perfect. This most certainly is a quick little weekend read.
We COME in…..
Emily is aware there is something very wrong with the aliens that have come to earth. While promoting helping humans, what is happening in the background and to human men and women?
On top of dealing with a selfish and self absorbed family she now has an alien suitor who has some intruiging genitalia, and other abilities to captivate, ensnare and assimilate women as their mates.
Compelling, sexy, intriguing and with a couple of dark twists and turns, undertones of manipulation and danger this is a definite must read!