The beast protects us, but he demands tribute.I was not asked. I was chosen. Every year, the creature who keeps our community safe requires a virgin as tribute, and every year she is thoroughly ravaged and then returned ruined for any other man. No one will tell me exactly what is in store for me, I only know he’s not going to be gentle.But the elders underestimated me, and when they left me in … and when they left me in the sacred clearing I took the chance to escape. Now the beast hunts me, and if he finds me I can only wonder what he’ll do to me…
Publisher’s Note: Virgin Tribute includes spankings and rough, intense sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
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Drake is a scientist who had no choice, but to experiment on himself. He provides protection to a local community. Reagan is chosen as his tribute, but becomes his willing mate. Good book, well written!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars
I love the fact that the heroines in Delta James’books are strong, independent, self sufficient women. Raegan, in this book, was the same. She had no interest in “going along to get along”, whether in the Sanctuary, or with the Protector.
Drake and Raegan had a genuine connection from the very beginning. Ultimately, they each provided the other with something they were unfamiliar. Drake came to appreciate Raegan’s intelligence and feistiness. Raegen came to appreciate Drake’s care and protection of her, something she had not received while at the Sanctuary.
This foray into sci-fi was intriguing. With the different types of mutants, the explanation regarding how the world came to be as it was with the mutants, and the ritualistic determination of the Chosen One, I was engaged from the very beginning trying to figure it all out. There were also moments of action, suspense, and danger to keep you a bit on edge.
There were some similarities with the Wayward Mates series, but not enough to detract from this being more sci-fi than paranormal. This was a fast paced read with a fair number of chapters and an epilogue.
If you are offended by dominance, submission, spankings, and an abundance of sexual encounters between the Chosen One and the Protector, I would suggest you pass on this one.
I was a little worried about Ms. James going dark but no fear, she tackles it beautifully. I love reading about strong kickass women and this author writes them so well. Raegan is not going to the beast willingly and makes sure everyone knows it, including the beast. A fabulous darkish story with a truly wonderful ending.
Man, Beast or Both?
Set in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest in the United States, “Virgin Tribute” is a fast-paced, highly engaging and professionally written dark erotic romance. Initiated by overzealous but potentially well-meaning scientific researchers, a virus has been inflicted upon humanity leaving only a small population untouched or immune. The remaining populous has been transformed by the virus into hideously monstrous mutants, lacking even a trace of their former moral and ethical decencies. The few untouched descendants and survivors of the virus took refuge long ago, underground, in the “Sanctuary” receiving protection from a powerful, human hybrid creature known as “The Protector”.
In exchange for safety from the savage mutant hordes, the Protector requires the carnal use of a young human female for procreation. Every tribute provided by the Sanctuary has been returned by the Protector seemingly unharmed but without successful impregnation. Mysteriously, each returned tribute chooses to seek solace and isolation among other former tributes, rather than reentering society at the Sanctuary. In this dark dystopian universe, the Sanctuary population as well as its populace is tightly controlled, and the women completely subjugated. Women not chosen as a tribute are given to warriors for assuaging their carnal needs and to reproduce a regulated number of offspring.
The rebellious as well as outspoken heroine, Raegan, is unexpectedly chosen by Sanctuary leaders as the current tribute and offered immediately to the monstrous beast known only as the Protector. Intelligent and feisty, Raegan escapes the shackles restraining her before the Protector’s arrival, fleeing into the wilderness with a plan to locate safe accommodations while living out her remaining days alone. Unfortunately, Raegan finds herself confronted by grotesquely mutated creatures, rescued and held captive by the antihero, Drake the Protector.
With a riveting and original story-line, “Virgin Tribute” is filled with erotic imagery, action, mystery, intrigue and suspense. The vivid depictions of hideously mutated human monsters are both chilling and reminiscent of the American literary classic, “The Island of Doctor Moreau”. Raegan’s cohabitation with Drake, in his well-recognized fortress, is fraught with conflict, potential danger, cooperation and transformation for both characters. As Raegan works alongside Drake to reverse the ravages of the virus, will Raegan be the final tribute or simply another in a long history of meaningless reparations to the beast? “Virgin Tribute” is told from dual POV, is a standalone novel and not suitable for those under the age of 18.
Disclaimer: No Kindles were seriously harmed while reading this novel. Children 18 + only… due to dark and sexually explicit content within a power exchange dynamic.
Disclaimer for the Disclaimer… The term “seriously harmed” is not intended to include: overheating, scorch marks, minor melting or inconsequential fire that can be put out with an extinguisher. Fire retardant gloves highly recommended while reading. Reviewer is not responsible for run-on sentences, misplaced commas or illegal use of overly descriptive language.
RATING DETAILS (Based on 1 to 5 Gold Stars):
STEAM FACTOR: 5 Scorching Hot Stars
WRITING STYLE: 5 Professional Stars
PLOT: 5 Originally Creative Stars
ENGAGING CHARACTERS: 5 Dominant, Beastly Stars
SATISFYING CONCLUSION: 5 Satiating Stars
*** I voluntarily received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review ***
A change for my favorite author. A darker story but written with all the elements one finds in Delta’s books. A great story. Wonderful characters and yes in true Delta style – even humor. Loved it and especially adored the ending.
Loved this dark twisted tale.
This is an absolutely captivating story with some wonderful and interesting characters. Drake is the Protector and has been doing everything he can to reverse the virus that mutated the world. He hopes to breed a human female in order to help this process, so every year he receives a Virgin Tribute from the Sanctuary that he gives his protection to. This year Raegan is given to him as tribute and concubine and she is very unhappy about it. Grab this awesome book and find out what happens when the Protector takes his Virgn Tribute. Great read and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.