Title: Redemption
Author: Sandra R. Neeley
Series: Haven #2
Pages: 328
TW: on page scenes of rape (not the heroine), abuse and, torture; violence, death; slavery; PTSD
Rakai ahl was cast aside and forced to live apart from his family as a child. He grew to become an outcast, resentful, angry, and a criminal that is only loyal to himself. When he is captured and threatened with execution, he finds himself being delivered into his family’s hands instead and now stalks the corridors of Command Warship 1 on lockdown. But when he meets a fiery little human everything changes for him.
Rokai’s story was very interesting considering he was never mentioned in the previous book. I found his backstory heartbreaking and completely understood why he wanted nothing to do with the Crestaci race, especially the ruling family. Rokai was a great MC and I really liked seeing him change from an angry and lonely male who pushes everyone away, to a male who is protective and loved who is secure in himself. Also, I did appreciate that we saw him make peace with his family and that what happened wasn’t because he wasn’t loved.
Rosalita, aka Rosie, was described as a very stereotypical gangster, which was a bit disappointing. I know the author was probably just trying to make an inclusive and strong character but that felt a bit much, especially with the teardrop tattoo and everything. Rosie was a bit flat of a character for me. She is a strong woman who has endured a lot and takes no shit, but we learn nothing about her past or anything really about her outside of her feelings for Rokai, which was very disappointing after getting so much about Rokai.
Rokai and Rosie are both players and so the beginning of their relationship was basically them trying to one up each other in flirting and making each other jealous, which I didn’t really enjoy. Once Rokai realized the reason he couldn’t stop thinking about Rosie was because she was his Ehlealah, everything changes and he really stops being a jackass. He also avenges her by finding the some of the men who raped and tortured her and torturing and killing them, and bringing back proof, which while gross was also sweet of him. While I liked aspects of their relationship, I think overall it wasn’t very emotional or steamy. I think the focus ended up being more on what was going on around them than on the relationship.
A lot happens in this book around Rokai, the Crestaci royals, the Consortium, and then even more rescued slaves being introduced. I think everything that happens in this book was very interesting and kept my attention, but it did take away from the romance. Another thing that might be an issue for some people, this book has multiple POVs, not just Rokai and Rosie’s. We get POVs of many characters we have never had before for just a scene, I assume it is because these people are important and will potentially have a future book themselves. It definitely seemed to mostly be potential mates that had POVs but just be aware that there are multiple POVs and they happen throughout the chapters.
Overall, this was a good follow up to the first book. I am enjoying this series, even with its dark theme. I am interested in reading the next book to see what happens with Kol and Ada Jane.
Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Amazon
Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 