Could Not Finish It

Writing the review I wish I'd seen before purchasing. Good prose with an interesting premise, but I struggled with the relationship dynamic. The male lead felt less Protective Alpha and more Controlling Abuser. He never really speaks to her, or respects her boundaries, or even treats her like a person. I could understand all that from a snake-man who's never seen a woman before. What I can't understand is why that human woman would ever start liking him. All of her justifications for warming up to him circle back to "he could have hurt me even worse but he didn't." At some point a switch flips and they hook up, but it didn't feel earned yet. If anything, told from his POV, it felt assault-y. I stopped halfway through and won't be finishing it. I get that some readers may enjoy this kind of thing, it just wasn't for me.

10 people found this helpful

Exciting new world—and so dang steamy too!

I absolutely loved this new, exciting, post-apocalyptic world Naomi has created! All the naga males are so different in appearance and personality. But they share two traits—they are so insanely possessive and protective of their females. Those are some of my favorite traits in this genre! I love a possessive, growly male. And Vruksha did not disappoint! He knew Gemma was meant to be his the moment he saw her, and he was not going to stop until she was in his arms. Of course she wasn't just going to take this. The heroine definitely has fight in her, which is needed because our red viper has something to learn. She's also compassionate and a survivalist.

For the audio book, it notched it up a step to actually hear Vruksha's voice! I loved the male narrator. He gave the character such a primal, alien quality. It was perfect. I really enjoyed listening to this story and being able to experience it a second time. And Vruksha's and Gemma's interactions? Whew! They are so dang spicy. I think the way Naomi writes her hero's dialogue is always my favorite part in her books. It's steamy, naughty, and so dang dirty. I love it!

4 people found this helpful

Not for me. Loved the spice tho,...

So you will love this if you enjoy alien romance where the guy is more animal than man, and has a snake body,.... no legs and he's super forceful with the seggsy times- I mean there's definite sketchy consent,... that was too much for me, but if thats your thing, then this is the book for you :) the spice scenes are frequent and pretty detailed, they're great. This just was not my favorite for sure.

2 people found this helpful

Love!

So the book is sectioned up into two point of views. Which then are covered by the male and female voice actors. they did great but I'd like it better if they use the female voice to voice the female even during the males point of view. I'm just a sucker for full cast audio books. (which are super rare).

I love this story. I'm obsessed with the misunderstood bad guy vibe so I can't wait for the fourth book. I love rereading and relistening to books. This is definitely one of the books I will be relistening to.

The romance between the leads isn't so much a fluffy romance at the beginning but pure lust and I feel like more books should have that. I mean I'm here for the romance lovey-dovey books but man sometimes pure lust is what starts the attraction in the first place.

This novel is well written and flows so well. It leaves you wanting so much more. If you haven't read either, then I'd definitely suggest downloading every little book the author has because this book will send you down a path of no return. She has now gotten me obsessed with nagas and the like soooo thanks.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent story!

Epic, unusual story where humans have been killed off and left Earth barren. Well, they come back 1500 years later after the catastrophe (caused by aliens) . Except there are new aliens living on Earth now... and they want the few human females who have returned...
Gemma is fierce and strong, and she's captured during a bridal hunt by the alien naga, Vruksha. He's a posessive, domineering sort of fellow who will do ANYTHING for his woman.
And the steam... O M G
I don't want to give anything away but it's worth a listen! The narration is excellent, the worldbuilding wholly unique, and I'll definitely be looking forward to book two.

2 people found this helpful

Didn't like at all.

If you like forced sex and the telling of how painful it must be as he supported to be as large as a arm and forces himself to fit all the while saying her name over and over? he treats her like a object he owns not a mate.or partner its just.gross

1 person found this helpful

Reptilian goodness.....

First off, hats off to perfect narration of the Naga Brides! Excellent storyline that made you feel like you were living in the moment of the story. Not all Reptilian's are bad! Can't wait for Book 2 to come out. Naomi Lucas rocked the story 100%!!!

1 person found this helpful

Snakes

Hmmm, this book has those annoying little triggers that for a middle-aged woman I find disturbing. However, after reading Billie Eilish’s interview about her exposure to extreme adult movies at such a young age, perhaps this is why so many younger romance authors write these types of abusive male heroes?

The male MC is very controlling in a way you’d probably find sexy if you have had the unfortunate experiences of Ms. Eilish in your formative years. If you want romance with two consenting adults this isn’t the audiobook for you.

The narration was good. I had already bought the second audiobook of this based on the good reviews before listening to this one and I may return it if I still have time. These kinds of male MCs are not for me and it’s no coincidence feminism in the US is taking a backseat if this is what young women want from young men-basically wanting to be treated as objects, And I’m not a conservative and enjoy a lot of romance, but I draw the line at abusive sexual situations dressed up as romance.

Very interesting novel!

It starts out a wee bit abrupt but that is likely because it is a mid size book. The plot is very interesting. I enjoyed this book very much.

Not going to judge the series on this first book

I feel like Naomi Lucas just needed to commit to a Omegaverse story instead of this pale imitation of one. It is somewhat rapey and the consent or the 'I'm ok with this' always comes after the sex, almost like things are out of order. Then there is the knotting, the rutting, and the passing mention of going into heat but all done in this noncommittal way hence the knockoff Omegaverse feel. Since I recently relistened to the Milana Jacks Alpha Hord series, it's hard not to see some missed opportunities in the story due to the lack of just going all in.

I did like the world building. I both loved and hated the characters and gave the FMC a lot of leeway since this is thousands of years in the future with life being limited to missing a futuristic history and only her experiences being life on a starship. But yeah, the irony was not lost on me when the career communications officer states that communication is hard.

In general I mostly enjoyed it and the narrators and I'm down for the series. Hopefully the next book King Cobra will give the male a different personality at the very least to make it more compelling.