Title: Alien Scars
Author: Ursa Dax
Series: Fated Mates of the Sea Sand Warriors #16
Pages: 230
Nasrin is at Gahn Thaleo’s mountain for the week as part of the deal made between him and the other Gahn’s. While Thaleo appears to favor her, she is keeping her distance because she doesn’t trust how manipulative he is. But as they get to know each other, Nasrin realizes that Thaleo has been taught to put being a Gahn over everything, including his own feelings.
After reading the previous books, I was eager to finally see Nasrin and Thaleo’s story since there has been so much tension between them for a while now. I really enjoyed this one. Thaleo may be manipulative but he is also an extremely protective and good Gahn. He has put his people above all else and this is the first time we see him start to rebel from that training. He struggles with wanting Nasrin for himself before the Great Vrika has actually given him the mate vision. I actually really enjoyed watching him open up and bend the rules a little bit.
Nasrin was a smart and determined woman who wasn’t going to let herself be swayed by the manipulative Gahn but quickly realized she is the only one who really treats him like a man, not a Gahn. I enjoyed learning more about Nasrin and her past, but did feel that she was a bit bare bones at times. She was the woman who was trying to grow things and create birth control, but in this she was just a woman falling for a man.I was really expecting to see a bit more of her geeky side in this.
The new deadly creature in this was fascinating and frankly, sounds terrifying. I enjoyed the tension it created with its sudden appearance and the dangers the humans and warriors faced. The battle to take the Borog down was intense and kept me hooked at the end. This world just constantly has really cool creatures, who are also really deadly usually.
Overall, I did enjoy this but was a bit disappointed in Nasrin’s character. I still enjoyed Thaleo and Nasrin’s relationship a lot but just wanted a bit more at times. I look forward to the next one.
TW: death of parents mentioned; child abuse mentioned; injuries and blood;
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Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 