My name is Keta. I’m an elite soldier for the interplanetary military, a G.H.O.S.T. operative. I’ve lived my whole life preferring solitude. I’m content to live my life without males trying to control me. Who needs love, I have my blasters, right? But fate changes my lonely existence. Somehow I’ve ended up mated to an Indarian triad – a shapeshifting race of Alpha Males. Lucky me. The Indarians …
The Indarians are a patriarchal society, which goes against everything that I stand for. I refuse the triad and disappear, determined to continue to live my life on my terms, as a Ghost.
I immerse myself in my work and my newest assignment, may be my toughest one yet. Not only do I have to shut down a black market slave ring on Heruta, I also have to work with a team of Indarian triads. And guess what, they are mine.
Can I really let go of my solitary life and embrace my Indarian mates, or will I continue to Ghost them when all is said and done?
**CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNING:
This book contains adult language and situations. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18
This book contains content and Dark elements that may be disturbing or triggering for some readers. No forced intercourse but it is alluded to in some scenes. **
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I enjoyed the story and characters, though I would have wanted the Alpha to be more ALPHA! Yes, there are some intense scenes but they are written well. Though, I would have like Keta to be more fallible—nothing gets her down, not even torture and attempted rape.
I did like the fact that Keta has a unique relationship with each of her Indarian Mates. A nice read and great world building.
I received an ARC copy and voluntarily leave a review.
Keta is a person who doesn’t let anyone step on her, not putting up with any flack while taking names. This is very well written, with a great plot and characters, imagination. This is a very dark read with bit of humor mix within. Please take the content warning seriously; at times it was almost too much for me. I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.
First loved the FMC Keta. She was didn’t put up with any s***. Keta is a soldier but not just any soldier she’s a GHOST and has worked hard to get to her position. While on a new case she comes across a triad of Indarian from her mother’s home planet. They are forced to work together even though the butt heads due to their patriarchal race. Keta is use to being by herself and doesn’t conform to what they are use to. Which causes plenty of arguments but they work together to complete the mission.
This book has a tough FMC and 3 hot alpha males. The author also starts to build a world that I can see expanding more in the next books. I’m excited to see what the next book holds
*Spoiler Alert*
Kera lives in a society where women are treated like second class citizens. Where women should be meek and docile. Bowing and scraping for their traid – Mates. Except Keta (the MFC) isn’t going to conform to that stereotype. Strong-willed and Bad*** she’s worked her way up to become a Ghost. An elite soldier. So she has no time for her triad (Takio, Moaz and Etan) and she lets them know in no certain terms of that but things have a fun way of not working out how she planned in this book. Loved the banter and the power-play between Keta and the guys. The scene in the nightclub with Keta and Moaz was damn right hot!!! Yes there’s some dark bits in this book (just don’t read it if you have a problem with dark romances) and some were a little bit much for me. Saying that though in order to understand Keta you have to have an idea about who she is and why she does what she does. Makes for a pretty good read as far as I’m concerned
I love the book so much. the words from the first page when I opened the book grabbed at me. The felt like it compelled me to read more and I did. I hope to read more in the future.
First, I’ll list some specific trigger warnings for those interested in reading this book.
Trigger Warnings:
Sexism
Slavery
Violence in gory detail
Violence against women
Rape (both male and female)
Torture
Child death and mutilation
The Good
Excellent quality of writing, flows amazingly well.
Interesting world building
Lots of alien diversity
Interesting creature design
The 3 love interests for the most part
The Not So Good
Keta- I struggled very hard with the main character. The author presents her as a bad ass, independent, and strong female who needs no man to complete her. She literally rages and screams at the mere implication that someone finds her weak for her gender.
And yet… there were things that happened and certain messages in the narrative that spoke against her and other women.
For instance, Keta personally believes that all Indarians are sexist, domineering, and will go to massive lengths to control their mates. Yet the three love interests presented don’t have any of those characteristics. Other than a few slip up innocent comments, they give very little reason to fit this stereotype yet Keta reacts very violently to everything. This can be interpreted as a character trait, Keta can just be an explosive individual with a short temper and sick of sexism.
Fair enough, so I read on.
It got a little more concerning though. There was a lot of negativity towards women, sex, and sex work. Keta calls women wearing revealing clothing or working as prostitutes as whores, simpering, and weak. The three love interests do the same as well. AKA, there was a lot of slut-shaming.
This same attitude goes towards any and all women who aren’t like Keta, a fierce galactic warrior. She takes offense towards women who might do secretarial work, don’t work out, don’t dress like she does (she hates dresses with a passion but in a sort of demeaning to everyone else who dares to wear them way). It felt as though she had a lot of internal bias against women, seeing anything feminine as a sign of weakness.
Then there was a point, where she clearly says that she wasn’t like those weak women who cry after getting raped. Which says, women are weak if they have an emotional reaction to something traumatic like rape. That one really made me raise my eyebrows.
Then there was the domestic abuse she had towards the three love interests. There are scenes where she threatens with violence, punches them for inconveniencing her, and uses emotional manipulation (threats of leaving) if she doesn’t get her way. It’s implied that it wouldn’t be acceptable if the three love interests did this back to her. I’m really feeling the double standard here.
Then her life and career are then taken away from her by the love interests because apparently they didn’t know when they registered her as their mate that would permanently ruin her career as a fighter. Hmmmmm……………
Finally, the ending was a real kicker. After all this raging about weak women and wanting to be independent, she just gives into it. There’s a scene where the three love interests use physical force to make her submit to them and their ruling. It is said that because of her alien genetics there is a instinctual impulse to obey them, and she is on the bottom of the totem pole as their omega. And she just accepts it and even remarks that it feels right to her.
Then the whole thing is wrapped up with a ‘wedding’ contract that literally signs over her physical being, her life, into the hands of the three love interests. Again she’s fine with this.
As for the epilogue… I felt sad. Again this whole thing of independence and rage was just… a farce. Her whole adventure and escapade was controlled by the start. From her early age it was decided eventually despite her career choices she would be pawned off on some Indarian males. She literally became what she did not want to become. (hide spoiler)]
While the author is an excellent writer and has a vivid imagination creating her worlds and characters, I personally had problems with the main character and the messages presented. I’m not sure if it was unintentional on the author’s part. It’s not easy writing with gender inequality as a main theme, many who try don’t succeed without doing more damage.
That being said, if you DO like domineering alphas, sci fi, strong characters and cool aliens, you may enjoy this one! I will be looking for other books written by this author in the future.
*** I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy for an honest review.***
Let me start with saying this book was freaking amazing. If you want an FMC who seriously a tough chick, take no prisoners then this is the book you need to read. So Keta wants to serve justice and can take care of herself. She is tough, smart and has a foul mouth. I instantly fell in love with her. Then these three males just walk into her life. Takio, Moaz, and Etan who are Indarian. A triad, an alpha and two betas. These men know they found their mate but Keta does not want anything to do with mating. Then fate happens and she has to be around these males for a bit. These three guys have no clue what they are up against when it comes to her. She doesn’t liken to be ordered around and Well she lets them know. That was just hilarious to read. Well something happens to Keta and she decides that if she can get pass this hurdle, she was going to accept her mates. But first she needs to fight and get her revenge. Make no mistake Takio, Moaz and Etan will do anything to complete their mating bond. it just take a bit for all to understand each other. These fine males soon prove to her that she will have her freedom.
This book will suck you in quick and will not be done with you til you finish. There are so many intense moments that my heart was pounding, hands shaking and even cried. Be prepared because there is a moment where it gets dark and ugly. Other than that, this is a five-star book that you need to read.