In "Shadow's Chosen" by Olivia Riley, the story follows Elise, a soldier hired to find missing scientists, and Nezka, a bounty hunter tasked with capturing human women. The two reluctantly team up on a mission to search for a group of humans that have disappeared on Tyrminis. As they navigate through a fast-paced adventure filled with action and gruesome fight scenes, a slow burn romance develops between them. The book introduces a third hero from a third alien race, providing a unique twist to the sci-fi romance genre. The writing style is enthralling, with great story building and a focus on adventure and redemption.

Characters:

The characters are well-defined, with Zahk as a powerful yet enigmatic alien and Elise as a fierce human, both undergoing significant development throughout their journey.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing is characterized by its immersive storytelling and well-crafted character development, blending action with emotion.

Plot/Storyline:

The story involves a dangerous mission filled with tension between the protagonists, leading to a complex dynamic as they navigate their differing goals and a blossoming romance.

Setting:

The setting is a vividly imagined alien world, rich in complexity, with a focus on subterranean locales and the interstellar environment.

Pacing:

The narrative maintains a fast pace, filled with action and adventure, though some readers felt the conclusion was rushed.

Notes:

The story features a male alien lead named Nezka, who is described as scary, sexy, and mysterious.

Elise is a highly trained soldier sent on a mission to rescue missing humans.

Nezka is on a mission to capture humans for his master, adding a sinister twist to his character.

The relationship between Nezka and Elise evolves from mutual mistrust to an intense attraction.

The plot is fast-paced and includes many action-packed scenes and fight sequences.

Readers appreciate the character development, especially how Nezka transitions from a villain to a more sympathetic character.

The romance is described as a slow burn and is not the central focus of the story.

The world-building is rich and complex, providing a unique backdrop for the story.

Some readers wanted a more extensive exploration of the characters' bond and the ending to be elaborated.

The series is noted for avoiding repetitive storytelling through its sequels, maintaining reader interest.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are themes of violence and darker elements that may be intense for some readers, with a focus on battle scenes and psychological conflict.

Has Romance?

The romance between Nezka and Elise develops over time but is secondary to the action and adventure components of the plot.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

From their first encounter, she knew he was trouble

A top operative in her field, Elise was trained since youth to be one of Earth's most elite soldiers. But nothing could prepare her for Tyrminus and the deadly aliens taking over the city.

One job: find the Grayhart team of explorers that have disappeared within the undercity and bring them back alive. A seemingly impossible mission.

One rule: stay away from the alien bounty hunters-especially their terrifying and hypnotic leader, Nezka-who've been assigned to hunt down the mysterious criminal overlord now ruling the undercity.

As much as Elise would gladly abide by that rule, fate had other plans. Now Nezka is her only hope of surviving. Despite how wicked and dangerous he may seem, the ruthless hunter claims he will aid her in the fight to save the others and escape the city.

Because protecting her suddenly seems his top priority.

But Nezka carries dark secrets, including a separate mission that could destroy the growing bond between them. Can she trust him? Or will he be her end?

Shadow's Chosen is an enemies to lovers complete standalone novel in the Dark World Mates series with intense action-packed moments, heated intimate scenes, and dark elements. It includes possible triggers including violence and is intended for mature readers. Though Shadow's Chosen can be read on its own, to get a better understanding and feel for certain situations and characters, its best to read books one and two:

Heart's Prisoner

Dark's Savior

Ratings (4)

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Reader Stats (8):

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Shadow's Chosen

Olivia Riley

Book 3 in the series:Dark World Mates