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Mauleon Captives #2
Condemned
She owes them her life. She'll pay with her body.
After she is caught trying to steal an artifact from an alien temple, Avalon is saved from a terrible fate by four veteran warriors, but the battle-scarred brutes make it clear they have no intention of setting her free. She belongs to them now, and one after the other they bring her roughly to heel, using and enjoying her beautiful body as thoroughly and as often as they please.
Though their plan to rescue her goes smoothly, Avalon remains distrustful of these alien beasts, and her efforts to escape them soon earn her a painful, humiliating punishment. Despite her shame, she cannot hide her response to their touch, and before long she is screaming with pleasure as she is brought to climax again and again by acts she'd never thought she could enjoy.
Over the coming days, Avalon's captors become her protectors, but will they be able to keep her safe when her life is threatened by the man who sent her to steal the artifact in the first place?
Publisher's Note: Condemned is set in the same world as Ruled, but it is a stand-alone novel. It includes spankings and rough, intense sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.
After she is caught trying to steal an artifact from an alien temple, Avalon is saved from a terrible fate by four veteran warriors, but the battle-scarred brutes make it clear they have no intention of setting her free. She belongs to them now, and one after the other they bring her roughly to heel, using and enjoying her beautiful body as thoroughly and as often as they please.
Though their plan to rescue her goes smoothly, Avalon remains distrustful of these alien beasts, and her efforts to escape them soon earn her a painful, humiliating punishment. Despite her shame, she cannot hide her response to their touch, and before long she is screaming with pleasure as she is brought to climax again and again by acts she'd never thought she could enjoy.
Over the coming days, Avalon's captors become her protectors, but will they be able to keep her safe when her life is threatened by the man who sent her to steal the artifact in the first place?
Publisher's Note: Condemned is set in the same world as Ruled, but it is a stand-alone novel. It includes spankings and rough, intense sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2019
380 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Cari Silverwood
100 books1,220 followersCari Silverwood lives in Australia and is a New York Times bestselling writer of kinky darkness or sometimes dark kinkiness, depending on her moods and the amount of time she's spent staring into the night.
Check out this page to avoid falling into the wrong dark and shocking book, because she really does write some weird stories: www.carisilverwood.net/my-books-liste...
Sign up to get sales and new releases plus various odd stuff she puts into it (and a free welcome book) at www.carisilverwood.net/
You can reach Cari at carisilverwood1@gmail.com
or
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cari.silverwood
Check out this page to avoid falling into the wrong dark and shocking book, because she really does write some weird stories: www.carisilverwood.net/my-books-liste...
Sign up to get sales and new releases plus various odd stuff she puts into it (and a free welcome book) at www.carisilverwood.net/
You can reach Cari at carisilverwood1@gmail.com
or
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cari.silverwood
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 80 reviews
July 29, 2019
Devoured this one in like record time it was just that good.
so this is set in the same universe as ruled but is a totally separate story with a completely different set of characters involved and as such can be read as a standalone.
This is a reverse Harem romance with four males and one female.
So the males are all Mauleon (Captain Takk, Timin, Zo, Kondio) and the female (Avalon) is a Huleon a half breed mix of the former and human.
This has this author's trademark heat and descriptive interactions combined with a very well developed cast of individuals all with very distinct personalities.
Our males here all have various physical and mental leftovers from a war that has raged rampant between the two opposing factions.
So Reverse Harem does tend to be a bit hit or miss for me and I am happy to impart that this here was definitely a total hit.
So when Avalon is caught trying to steal the claw of truth her sentence is severe.
The unit that originally apprehended her decide against there better judgement to aide in her liberty believing the sentence was unduly harsh.
So Captain Takk making a deal with the Huleon (Avalon) sets forth our journey into motion.
This also had a great underlying storyline and had no issues keeping my attention.
I adored all the Mauleon's themselves some more than others and one in particular really did take a good while to grow on me: no mind he got there in the end.
I read this is one complete sitting back to back and enjoyed every part.
This does have some aspects of dub-consent which I do adore and was absolutely scorching in temperature.
It was super smokin hot, decadently dirty and my eyeballs are now in need of a good scrub.
On top of the heat, this was also incredibly sensual and emotive.
It was also told in multiple POV so you get a good all-round feel for all involved.
This really was a fabulous experience one that I am ever so happy to recommend.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Condemned: A Dark Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 11, 2019
This is a reverse harem book for people who don’t like reverse harem!
Condemned is unlike most (any?) RH story you will have read (or not read) before and it should be top of your TBR list. Reverse Harem has been one of those ‘things’ that seems to have become huge (no pun intended) in the romance world over the last few years. I have to say unless they are part of a series, for a variety of reasons, I had rather given up on them.
The vast majority of books in the genre have zero male character development and I have all on trying to remember which guy is currently featured or to find ANY plot in between all the sex scenes. Well Condemned turned all those preconceptions on their head. This author refused to stick to the formulaic 1 sex scene with each, a couple of MFM scenes and then one sex scene with all of them as the grand finale. No this author GAVE THE BOOK A PLOT! Imagine that, she actually wrote a story with action, adventure, dastardly plots against the heroine, sweet little moments, some darn kinky sex but not too much and 4 distinct male characters who actually quite liked the heroine! How dare she?!! (That last bit is tongue in cheek)
I really had a soft spot for Zo (who, for a sadist, was quite tender) and Kondio… Oh also the very troubled Timin and I guess, in the end, the aloof and cold Takk wasn’t too bad either. These men all had their own distinct personalities, their foibles, strengths and weaknesses. Four battle damaged, weary Mauleons looking for some peace and quiet in which to live out the rest of their days. And all it took to mend their broken souls was one unwanted, unloved and uninhibited Huleon girl thief called Avalon. Well that and rescuing her from certain death by impalement.
We get a pregnant scythefox, a mousebot called Nibbles (who may just steal the show a little), assassins, a religious sex cult, a runaway ‘lovemaking’ machine and a strange prophecy that all add colour, texture and flavour to this wonderful story. We get salacious kinkiness, plenty of humour, a quirky plot that never fails to captivate or surprise and piercings. If you've ever read Terry Pratchett's discworld and wished for something similar but naughtier, dirtier and with piercings then you will LOVE this book.
**Condemned has the same setting as Ruled, though there is no overlap between the two stories and it can be read standalone.**
Condemned is unlike most (any?) RH story you will have read (or not read) before and it should be top of your TBR list. Reverse Harem has been one of those ‘things’ that seems to have become huge (no pun intended) in the romance world over the last few years. I have to say unless they are part of a series, for a variety of reasons, I had rather given up on them.
The vast majority of books in the genre have zero male character development and I have all on trying to remember which guy is currently featured or to find ANY plot in between all the sex scenes. Well Condemned turned all those preconceptions on their head. This author refused to stick to the formulaic 1 sex scene with each, a couple of MFM scenes and then one sex scene with all of them as the grand finale. No this author GAVE THE BOOK A PLOT! Imagine that, she actually wrote a story with action, adventure, dastardly plots against the heroine, sweet little moments, some darn kinky sex but not too much and 4 distinct male characters who actually quite liked the heroine! How dare she?!! (That last bit is tongue in cheek)
She licked and tried not to appear happy to do so even if the taste appealed to her in the worst and most disgusting way.
I really had a soft spot for Zo (who, for a sadist, was quite tender) and Kondio… Oh also the very troubled Timin and I guess, in the end, the aloof and cold Takk wasn’t too bad either. These men all had their own distinct personalities, their foibles, strengths and weaknesses. Four battle damaged, weary Mauleons looking for some peace and quiet in which to live out the rest of their days. And all it took to mend their broken souls was one unwanted, unloved and uninhibited Huleon girl thief called Avalon. Well that and rescuing her from certain death by impalement.
We get a pregnant scythefox, a mousebot called Nibbles (who may just steal the show a little), assassins, a religious sex cult, a runaway ‘lovemaking’ machine and a strange prophecy that all add colour, texture and flavour to this wonderful story. We get salacious kinkiness, plenty of humour, a quirky plot that never fails to captivate or surprise and piercings. If you've ever read Terry Pratchett's discworld and wished for something similar but naughtier, dirtier and with piercings then you will LOVE this book.
She concentrated, finding herself panting, and feeling the forced and inevitable widening of her entrance in every minute detail.
Interesting. Yes.
Definitely interesting.
Then he shoved harder.
**Condemned has the same setting as Ruled, though there is no overlap between the two stories and it can be read standalone.**
July 27, 2019
Whenever Cari asks me if i’d like another story,i check my calender first.
Because it always feels like it’s my birthday,and she gave me the perfect present......again!
This beauty is in the same world as Ruled,and if you liked that gem,you are going to love this one!
Avalon,a Huleon girl,is forced to steal a relic from a temple by her uncle and gets caught by 4 veteran Mauleon warriors. Takk,the leader of the four. And Kondio,Timin and Zo. Proper punishment for this crime should be death,but she’s given a choice. Belong to these 4 mauleons,be theirs in every sense of the word until they deliver her at Omage,where priests have a use for her in their prayers. Or die. Guess what choice she makes....
But these warriors are in for a surprise,because Avalon isn’t your average little thief,she’s not just a Huleon,she has efsana as well. And it affects all of them as they journey towards Omage.
For the first time in her life,Avalon feels like she belongs.
Kondio,Timin and Zo find themselves caring about this little thief,even as they love hurting her....in a good way.
Takk has trouble accepting he’s affected by this little Huleon,but falls for her anyway.
Leaving her with the priests is going to hurt them all.....
There are,however,forces at work to ensure Avalon dies. An assassin called J’kai is following them. But will she succeed? I mean four warriors? Against one assassin? Then again....they have to know she’s there first,and they don’t.....
The twists and turns kept me glued to the pages,and i couldn’t stop reading until the very last word. The eye for detail Cari has,it blows my mind!
The world build,the gadgets,animals,everything.
Soooo good!
That’s why i love this story.
Not just the evil kinkiness. Nope.
Not just the delicious things these warriors come up with to treat a helpless little thief. Nope.
It’s the full picture that does it.
Each and every time!
Because it always feels like it’s my birthday,and she gave me the perfect present......again!
This beauty is in the same world as Ruled,and if you liked that gem,you are going to love this one!
Avalon,a Huleon girl,is forced to steal a relic from a temple by her uncle and gets caught by 4 veteran Mauleon warriors. Takk,the leader of the four. And Kondio,Timin and Zo. Proper punishment for this crime should be death,but she’s given a choice. Belong to these 4 mauleons,be theirs in every sense of the word until they deliver her at Omage,where priests have a use for her in their prayers. Or die. Guess what choice she makes....
But these warriors are in for a surprise,because Avalon isn’t your average little thief,she’s not just a Huleon,she has efsana as well. And it affects all of them as they journey towards Omage.
For the first time in her life,Avalon feels like she belongs.
Kondio,Timin and Zo find themselves caring about this little thief,even as they love hurting her....in a good way.
Takk has trouble accepting he’s affected by this little Huleon,but falls for her anyway.
Leaving her with the priests is going to hurt them all.....
There are,however,forces at work to ensure Avalon dies. An assassin called J’kai is following them. But will she succeed? I mean four warriors? Against one assassin? Then again....they have to know she’s there first,and they don’t.....
The twists and turns kept me glued to the pages,and i couldn’t stop reading until the very last word. The eye for detail Cari has,it blows my mind!
The world build,the gadgets,animals,everything.
Soooo good!
That’s why i love this story.
Not just the evil kinkiness. Nope.
Not just the delicious things these warriors come up with to treat a helpless little thief. Nope.
It’s the full picture that does it.
Each and every time!
July 26, 2019
Magnificent, Marvelous, Mauleons!!!
Ms. Silverwood is back again with another story about her Marvelous Mauleons. If you aren’t familiar with them, then I suggest reading her recent release “Ruled” which introduced us to this catlike race.
This was an entertaining story that blended elements of mild bdsm, tech, and sci-fi in a world ravaged by war. Avalon survives in this world the best way she can as a thief and after a botched job, she ends up in the claws of four Mauleons. Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo are battle hardened warriors who each bear scars from the war as different as their attitudes and looks.
They find themselves becoming attracted to Avalon in ways none of them had ever thought they would experience again. What Avalon finds in the arms of these men is a chance at having friends and a family to call her own.
Decisions are made after her capture that send them all down a road to redemption and ultimately love. Along the way, they learn to adapt and change their preconceived notions of one another until it evolves into their own unique bond which includes amazingly HOT sex with claws!!
I love each warrior for different reasons, but I have to say that Zo is my favorite because he shows Avalon that she has value as a huleon, that she is more than just a half breed to be used and discarded. He also sports a Zendokai tattoo reflecting his belief in the Zendokai philosophy. This is the practice of self-control which becomes more difficult the longer he is in her presence.
Timin would be a close second because he brings out her protective instincts for reasons I won’t disclose as it would be a spoiler. Kondio comes across as a big, scruffy, ol' kitty kat who would just love having his belly rubbed among other things. LOL!! And finally we come to Capt. Takk, the stern, fearless, leader of the group who distances himself the most from Avalon in the beginning.
Along with some very interesting side characters/creatures such as florses, a scythefox, mouse-bots, assassins, and love priests, this is a story of second chances, of healing, finding love when you least expect it, and finally a place in this world to call home.
Once again Ms. Silverwood has left a lasting impression on me with an amazing story and her unique imagination. I am constantly surprised at how I feel after reading one of her books. She slowly worms her way into my subconscious with her writing every time. I just adore her creative genius and cannot wait for her next release. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy romance with a touch of darkness and sci-fi.
Ms. Silverwood is back again with another story about her Marvelous Mauleons. If you aren’t familiar with them, then I suggest reading her recent release “Ruled” which introduced us to this catlike race.
This was an entertaining story that blended elements of mild bdsm, tech, and sci-fi in a world ravaged by war. Avalon survives in this world the best way she can as a thief and after a botched job, she ends up in the claws of four Mauleons. Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo are battle hardened warriors who each bear scars from the war as different as their attitudes and looks.
They find themselves becoming attracted to Avalon in ways none of them had ever thought they would experience again. What Avalon finds in the arms of these men is a chance at having friends and a family to call her own.
Decisions are made after her capture that send them all down a road to redemption and ultimately love. Along the way, they learn to adapt and change their preconceived notions of one another until it evolves into their own unique bond which includes amazingly HOT sex with claws!!
I love each warrior for different reasons, but I have to say that Zo is my favorite because he shows Avalon that she has value as a huleon, that she is more than just a half breed to be used and discarded. He also sports a Zendokai tattoo reflecting his belief in the Zendokai philosophy. This is the practice of self-control which becomes more difficult the longer he is in her presence.
Timin would be a close second because he brings out her protective instincts for reasons I won’t disclose as it would be a spoiler. Kondio comes across as a big, scruffy, ol' kitty kat who would just love having his belly rubbed among other things. LOL!! And finally we come to Capt. Takk, the stern, fearless, leader of the group who distances himself the most from Avalon in the beginning.
Along with some very interesting side characters/creatures such as florses, a scythefox, mouse-bots, assassins, and love priests, this is a story of second chances, of healing, finding love when you least expect it, and finally a place in this world to call home.
Once again Ms. Silverwood has left a lasting impression on me with an amazing story and her unique imagination. I am constantly surprised at how I feel after reading one of her books. She slowly worms her way into my subconscious with her writing every time. I just adore her creative genius and cannot wait for her next release. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy romance with a touch of darkness and sci-fi.
September 3, 2020
Umm..this was a weird book. I found the writing style not for me, so this is a case -its me not you-.
One woman and 4 aliens warriors . Lots of sex, bdsm , some spanking, manhandling and slut shaming. The sex scenes were good, maybe in excess and took over the story, but good nonetheless. What I missed was the romance. No romance whatsoever. It was no love between them, it was lust and craving because of her "condition". Only Zo, one of the guys , have shown a bit more than that.
Otherwise, I found myself confused with the world building(maybe because I haven't read the first book 🤷♀️). I will give this 2.5/3 stars because it kept me engaged and it was not a dnf.
One woman and 4 aliens warriors . Lots of sex, bdsm , some spanking, manhandling and slut shaming. The sex scenes were good, maybe in excess and took over the story, but good nonetheless. What I missed was the romance. No romance whatsoever. It was no love between them, it was lust and craving because of her "condition". Only Zo, one of the guys , have shown a bit more than that.
Otherwise, I found myself confused with the world building(maybe because I haven't read the first book 🤷♀️). I will give this 2.5/3 stars because it kept me engaged and it was not a dnf.
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October 18, 2020
Short, but steamy and with a surprisingly good plot.
The heroine is a thief who's caught trying to steal something that belongs to another race. She's condemned to die, but the army unit tasked with the job decides to save her instead. Their original plan to sell her off as a sex slave is derailed when they find themselves falling her.
The characters aren't very deep, but they're pleasantly deeper than I was expecting. Good amount of differentiation between the heroes. I also liked how much backbone the heroine had.
Not much more to say on this one - I enjoyed it, but there were a lot of sex scenes to bog the plot down, so in other circumstances I may not have been able to actually finish the book. Worth a read if you want some captor/captive BDSM romance flavoured with fantasy.
[Blog]
The heroine is a thief who's caught trying to steal something that belongs to another race. She's condemned to die, but the army unit tasked with the job decides to save her instead. Their original plan to sell her off as a sex slave is derailed when they find themselves falling her.
The characters aren't very deep, but they're pleasantly deeper than I was expecting. Good amount of differentiation between the heroes. I also liked how much backbone the heroine had.
Not much more to say on this one - I enjoyed it, but there were a lot of sex scenes to bog the plot down, so in other circumstances I may not have been able to actually finish the book. Worth a read if you want some captor/captive BDSM romance flavoured with fantasy.
[Blog]
July 27, 2019
Holy Titfire
One would think that after this many books by this author that I would no longer be surprised by how her mind works. Except, every single time my mouth is agape at her world-building and how she manages to create something that is truly out of this world and yet still feels familiar. Not even the darkness or violence seems foreign. In this authors case, I would actually be pretty upset if she didn't have a sense of the depraved and grittiness that she incorporates with ease. At this point in her books, it has become almost a comfort because I know exactly going into the story that she is going to give me something delicious to savor.
In this case, it is four Mauleons, A race that was first introduced in Ruled, and Avalon, a feisty thief, that fuels the deliciousness in this story. It combines elements of BDSM, Scifi, and A LOT of punishments (both by the men but also by way of Law) This is not an easy world for any of the characters and all are forced to adapt. The steam is both titillating and uncomfortable (especially for Avalon). I cannot count the number of times I had to smile like a Cheshire cat at certain times at how well this author pushes the envelope between extreme and erotic. She even reintroduced the spear which anyone that knows me knows that I about the lost my mind when she used it for the first time in a story. Even then it was still something "new" if that makes sense, because of the way it was used and the intent or purpose varied. I won't give the story away as that has been done before. However, for anyone looking for something that is distinctly different and that teeters on the precipice of extreme and erotic then I recommend this author. I never want her words to end.
There is a reason this author is a favorite of mine and that is because each book is uniquely hers. No one can do what she does. How she makes her books enticing and also make me a tad squeamish (but in a good way) always amazes me.
One would think that after this many books by this author that I would no longer be surprised by how her mind works. Except, every single time my mouth is agape at her world-building and how she manages to create something that is truly out of this world and yet still feels familiar. Not even the darkness or violence seems foreign. In this authors case, I would actually be pretty upset if she didn't have a sense of the depraved and grittiness that she incorporates with ease. At this point in her books, it has become almost a comfort because I know exactly going into the story that she is going to give me something delicious to savor.
In this case, it is four Mauleons, A race that was first introduced in Ruled, and Avalon, a feisty thief, that fuels the deliciousness in this story. It combines elements of BDSM, Scifi, and A LOT of punishments (both by the men but also by way of Law) This is not an easy world for any of the characters and all are forced to adapt. The steam is both titillating and uncomfortable (especially for Avalon). I cannot count the number of times I had to smile like a Cheshire cat at certain times at how well this author pushes the envelope between extreme and erotic. She even reintroduced the spear which anyone that knows me knows that I about the lost my mind when she used it for the first time in a story. Even then it was still something "new" if that makes sense, because of the way it was used and the intent or purpose varied. I won't give the story away as that has been done before. However, for anyone looking for something that is distinctly different and that teeters on the precipice of extreme and erotic then I recommend this author. I never want her words to end.
There is a reason this author is a favorite of mine and that is because each book is uniquely hers. No one can do what she does. How she makes her books enticing and also make me a tad squeamish (but in a good way) always amazes me.
February 26, 2022
I've only read two other books by Ms. Silverwood: Lust Angel (which she appears to have released three times) and Ruled. I liked both of them (even if they were short on detail because they were, well, short), so I decided to read this one since it was set in the same universe as the latter. My very different reactions to both these books illustrate the problem with the catch-all, far-too-vague "dark" as warning, for while both Ruled: A Dark Sci-Fi Romance and Condemned: A Dark Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance are labeled dark, the former is (mostly consensual), light on punishments and less violent, featuring an honorable hero and respect for its main female character. The latter, on the other hand, is non-consensual, heavy on punishments and brutal, containing four "heroes" who force a woman to have sex with them in exchange for saving her life and a main female "heroine" treated as little more than a vessel for sex with no agency of her own or self-respect. That two books labeled "dark" are so different in intensity is why I wish other reviewers would stop telling those of us who object to some of the practices in these books that we have no right to leave a poor review since we were warned. Well, actually, we weren't, as these two very different books attest.
Now, certainly this book is well-written: detailed, imaginative worldbuilding (I particularly love the "animals"); sentence variety; a touch of humor (the "love" religion"); few grammar/editing errors; and distinct characters who do exhibit some growth. Personally, rh is not my thing -- mainly because I can't keep the men straight -- this was slightly better as the men did have different personalities. Even with that, however, I really had trouble matching name to character -- except for Zo, probably because he had the most unique name and spent the most quality time with Avalon. I did appreciate that one of the characters had a disability since this genre is usually abled. Certainly, the novel has many erotic scenes. Certainly, it has an HEA.
What it does NOT have is anything remotely resembling a loving relationship (or relationships), which is crucial to a book labeled a "romance."
When the four men first meet Avalon, they are charged with executing her for stealing an artifact. To save her, they offer to fake her death if she will, in turn, become their sex slave. Now, for me, there is nothing remotely honorable about these men at all. They save her only because they are attracted to her (so, I assume they would have killed a child, man, or woman they were not attracted to) and they turned her into this world's version of a comfort woman by offering her this false choice: "let us rape you or we'll kill you." If this weren't bad enough, they then tell her that they will sell her, so in addition to being rapists and pimps, they are slave-traders (and, no, PTSD does not excuse this). I'm really struggling to see why I should be invested in them here.
Now, we're supposed to be okay with all of this (I suppose) because A) Avalon wants/enjoys the sex; and B) She begins to feel some self-worth after years of feeling that she wasn't good enough as a "half-breed." Well, as to the first, it was way too convenient that she was in Efsana (and here I was reminded of the omegaverse estrus). As to the second, I'm unclear how someone is supposed to feel any self-respect when all the men refer to her as "girl" or when they insist on treating her like this: “I messaged ahead to Omage while we were in town. They’ll be expecting her. Humans are at a premium there for ceremonies, so a sale is pretty much guaranteed.” They make it very clear that "You will share the bed of any of us that choose you, until the day we sell you." What's that you say? . It certainly wasn't because they ever saw any value in her as a person. And why should they? Avalon went from being a strong, self-reliant, intelligent woman to a complete and total toy.
Finally, this book has one of my pet peeves: the men punish her when she very reasonably objects to being captured and enslaved. And she's considered the "immoral" one when she . Yes, I realize this is fantasy, but I just couldn't suspend enough disbelief to find redeemable four men who blackmail a woman into prostitution and then try to sell her. And I preferred the woman who had the strength and courage to she was at the end.
Ymmv.
Now, certainly this book is well-written: detailed, imaginative worldbuilding (I particularly love the "animals"); sentence variety; a touch of humor (the "love" religion"); few grammar/editing errors; and distinct characters who do exhibit some growth. Personally, rh is not my thing -- mainly because I can't keep the men straight -- this was slightly better as the men did have different personalities. Even with that, however, I really had trouble matching name to character -- except for Zo, probably because he had the most unique name and spent the most quality time with Avalon. I did appreciate that one of the characters had a disability since this genre is usually abled. Certainly, the novel has many erotic scenes. Certainly, it has an HEA.
What it does NOT have is anything remotely resembling a loving relationship (or relationships), which is crucial to a book labeled a "romance."
When the four men first meet Avalon, they are charged with executing her for stealing an artifact. To save her, they offer to fake her death if she will, in turn, become their sex slave. Now, for me, there is nothing remotely honorable about these men at all. They save her only because they are attracted to her (so, I assume they would have killed a child, man, or woman they were not attracted to) and they turned her into this world's version of a comfort woman by offering her this false choice: "let us rape you or we'll kill you." If this weren't bad enough, they then tell her that they will sell her, so in addition to being rapists and pimps, they are slave-traders (and, no, PTSD does not excuse this). I'm really struggling to see why I should be invested in them here.
Now, we're supposed to be okay with all of this (I suppose) because A) Avalon wants/enjoys the sex; and B) She begins to feel some self-worth after years of feeling that she wasn't good enough as a "half-breed." Well, as to the first, it was way too convenient that she was in Efsana (and here I was reminded of the omegaverse estrus). As to the second, I'm unclear how someone is supposed to feel any self-respect when all the men refer to her as "girl" or when they insist on treating her like this: “I messaged ahead to Omage while we were in town. They’ll be expecting her. Humans are at a premium there for ceremonies, so a sale is pretty much guaranteed.” They make it very clear that "You will share the bed of any of us that choose you, until the day we sell you." What's that you say? . It certainly wasn't because they ever saw any value in her as a person. And why should they? Avalon went from being a strong, self-reliant, intelligent woman to a complete and total toy.
Finally, this book has one of my pet peeves: the men punish her when she very reasonably objects to being captured and enslaved. And she's considered the "immoral" one when she . Yes, I realize this is fantasy, but I just couldn't suspend enough disbelief to find redeemable four men who blackmail a woman into prostitution and then try to sell her. And I preferred the woman who had the strength and courage to she was at the end.
Ymmv.
July 26, 2019
With her usual flair for creating worlds populated with creatures human and not wholly human, burdened, or blessed, with all human virtues and frailties, Ms Silverwood paints a fascinating picture of a small band of individuals.
Set in the mauleon kingdom right after the end of the war, four veteran mauleon soldiers on their way home and a huleon thief's paths cross with far reaching consequences for all of them.
From a strictly humanitarian subterfuge, to a journey with a ticking time bomb, on through a fog of sensual awakenings, we land at an explosion of a finale that will make you gasp with shock and make your vengeful heart smile!
Set in the mauleon kingdom right after the end of the war, four veteran mauleon soldiers on their way home and a huleon thief's paths cross with far reaching consequences for all of them.
From a strictly humanitarian subterfuge, to a journey with a ticking time bomb, on through a fog of sensual awakenings, we land at an explosion of a finale that will make you gasp with shock and make your vengeful heart smile!
July 26, 2019
condemned is Silverwood 's entry in the ever popular reverse harem genre, and it's significant in its unique simplicity. Avalon is a young woman part of a group of thieves stealing an antique. She gets double crossed and caught by a group of world weary former mauleon soldiers who take a liking to her. This is a story about redemption among the lower class...a road trip with broken people looking for a new reason to live life to its fullest.
The men are complex and interesting. Silverwood uses the horrors of war to bring these men together in a way no one else might understand. They all have injuries...some worse than others. The camaraderie is genuine and the personalities varied. In reverse harem stories, the toughest thing is outlining the men well enough so they don't blur together. It's easy to see the men only as a group. But Silverwood creates four very distinct men here, also allowing Avalon time with each (and the reader) so she sees them as individuals. The relationships grow in honest ways.
I loved Zo desperately, and his Zendokai philosophy. This philosophy is outlined and explained by him, and I have to say I found it fascinating. I found this general description online:
The Zen Do Kai philosophy encompasses the principle of "if it works, use it" and as such contains elements of a variety of other martial arts. Zen Do Kai uses kata as a form of discipline during training and these kata have been selected for the aid in rudimentary development of stances and techniques.
The most interesting part of this discipline is how it's changed and evolved over the decades. It has a hierarchy and ethical code that is unique to martial arts. To read about Zo using it in a world where technology has almost died reminds me that education and learning can live through anything. Even a quarantined world where computers aren't there and "Google" no longer exists. It makes me wonder where he lessened about it.
There's an underlying suspense to The story that is realky secondary to the road trip. It almost doesn't matter, but it ends in a very sweet way. The road trip was the story. I was crazy about the detailed scenes between Avalon and her men. Each gave insight into who they are at their core. And it wouldn't be a Silverwood story without some crazy bots and a prophecy that may or may not end the world. She has a distinct sense of humor that hits me just right, and THAT SCENE at the religious temple, (read it, you will know when you see it) omg it made me laugh.
The writing also distinguishes itself from your average reverse harem story. So much of it is almost poetry:
"He had the righteous arm today. He had been chosen to do this and he would prevail. Which would he kill? Who would he harm? The girl of course would die. He danced his fingertips down the hilts of the poisoned daggers in their sheaths beneath his uniform coat. Expertly made, perfectly balanced, they cut the air as they ran through it, unerringly true."
And yes, there are scenes that will make your kindle blush. I love the blurb that Silverwood has to describe her books at the end of the story:
"Cari Silverwood is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of kinky darkness or sometimes of dark kinkiness, depending on her moods and the amount of time she’s spent staring into the night. When others are writing bad men doing bad things, you may find her writing good men who accidentally on purpose fall into the abyss and come out with their morals twisted in knots."
She writes with abandon and recklessness here...with freedom to unburden her mind and not worry about who judges. It's as if she's indulging in her character's deepest desires and gleefully walking across the hot coals to share it with us. And I'm gleefully waiting on the next chapter in her deliciously delightful darkness with a tantalizing twist.
The men are complex and interesting. Silverwood uses the horrors of war to bring these men together in a way no one else might understand. They all have injuries...some worse than others. The camaraderie is genuine and the personalities varied. In reverse harem stories, the toughest thing is outlining the men well enough so they don't blur together. It's easy to see the men only as a group. But Silverwood creates four very distinct men here, also allowing Avalon time with each (and the reader) so she sees them as individuals. The relationships grow in honest ways.
I loved Zo desperately, and his Zendokai philosophy. This philosophy is outlined and explained by him, and I have to say I found it fascinating. I found this general description online:
The Zen Do Kai philosophy encompasses the principle of "if it works, use it" and as such contains elements of a variety of other martial arts. Zen Do Kai uses kata as a form of discipline during training and these kata have been selected for the aid in rudimentary development of stances and techniques.
The most interesting part of this discipline is how it's changed and evolved over the decades. It has a hierarchy and ethical code that is unique to martial arts. To read about Zo using it in a world where technology has almost died reminds me that education and learning can live through anything. Even a quarantined world where computers aren't there and "Google" no longer exists. It makes me wonder where he lessened about it.
There's an underlying suspense to The story that is realky secondary to the road trip. It almost doesn't matter, but it ends in a very sweet way. The road trip was the story. I was crazy about the detailed scenes between Avalon and her men. Each gave insight into who they are at their core. And it wouldn't be a Silverwood story without some crazy bots and a prophecy that may or may not end the world. She has a distinct sense of humor that hits me just right, and THAT SCENE at the religious temple, (read it, you will know when you see it) omg it made me laugh.
The writing also distinguishes itself from your average reverse harem story. So much of it is almost poetry:
"He had the righteous arm today. He had been chosen to do this and he would prevail. Which would he kill? Who would he harm? The girl of course would die. He danced his fingertips down the hilts of the poisoned daggers in their sheaths beneath his uniform coat. Expertly made, perfectly balanced, they cut the air as they ran through it, unerringly true."
And yes, there are scenes that will make your kindle blush. I love the blurb that Silverwood has to describe her books at the end of the story:
"Cari Silverwood is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of kinky darkness or sometimes of dark kinkiness, depending on her moods and the amount of time she’s spent staring into the night. When others are writing bad men doing bad things, you may find her writing good men who accidentally on purpose fall into the abyss and come out with their morals twisted in knots."
She writes with abandon and recklessness here...with freedom to unburden her mind and not worry about who judges. It's as if she's indulging in her character's deepest desires and gleefully walking across the hot coals to share it with us. And I'm gleefully waiting on the next chapter in her deliciously delightful darkness with a tantalizing twist.
Read
December 2, 2021DNF ~33%
Well, I tried. I really did. Because I do not like to pay for books and then not finish them. It just seems a waste. I told myself I would try to give this until the 50% mark but I can't take this. I will not rate it because I did not make it far enough to feel like I can fairly rate the book in its entirety.
A brief breakdown of the events I managed to get through:
1. Girl tries to steal heavily guarded treasure under the order of her uncle, who she is trying to impress
2. Girl gets betrayed and immediately caught *surprise, surprise*
3. Girl describes all the men and, from her description, none of them sound attractive
4. Girl stands trial and is of course found guilty
5. Men who caught her feel bad because they feel...something for her
6. Men offer to save her from execution. All she has to do is obey their every word and agree to be sold as a sex slave later. WTF!?
7. There are also vague mentions throughout of a war the men served in and how the girl stealing the treasure could have ruined the two nations peace treaty or something.
8. Anyways, the girl agrees. There is some weird business about stretching her to fit a dildo inside so she can be impaled blah blah.
9. They bury her alive so everyone believes she is dead
10. She escapes the shallow grave and makes a run for it
11. One of the guys catches her. They have sex by a river. Because she literally can't help herself. They're both so turned on. And now, all because he told her she's a real person and she should think of herself that way, the girl thinks he is a good and compassionate guy. Woo...oh wait...
12. Other guys catch up and they all sleep in the forest. Oh, wait, did I mention they're all being trailed by an assassin who is apparently under orders to follow the girl and possibly kill her later? No. Well, there's that too!
13. Guys decide to carry her naked on horseback with her face covered because her hair is too recognizable. Just...why am I still here?
14. The guy she is riding with decides to cover her because he says the rest of her is too recognizable as well, with her many piercings and the red carpet she has going on down under. You know reasonable stuff.
15. Guy whose horse she's forced to ride on decides to feel her up without consent, but rather than feel disgusted by this violation to her person she feels turned on by it.
And that's where I stop.
I think this what I get for breaking my own rule about reading books with ratings less than 3.7 on Goodreads. Obviously, this does not include new releases or books I choose to read on or near their original release date. But for books that have been out for a while and have a sizable number of reviews, it is a rule I like to follow. This mess is a good example of why.
Verdict:
An utter waste of almost $5! I could've gotten myself some chicken nuggets from McDonald's and been infinitely happier.
Well, I tried. I really did. Because I do not like to pay for books and then not finish them. It just seems a waste. I told myself I would try to give this until the 50% mark but I can't take this. I will not rate it because I did not make it far enough to feel like I can fairly rate the book in its entirety.
A brief breakdown of the events I managed to get through:
1. Girl tries to steal heavily guarded treasure under the order of her uncle, who she is trying to impress
2. Girl gets betrayed and immediately caught *surprise, surprise*
3. Girl describes all the men and, from her description, none of them sound attractive
4. Girl stands trial and is of course found guilty
5. Men who caught her feel bad because they feel...something for her
6. Men offer to save her from execution. All she has to do is obey their every word and agree to be sold as a sex slave later. WTF!?
7. There are also vague mentions throughout of a war the men served in and how the girl stealing the treasure could have ruined the two nations peace treaty or something.
8. Anyways, the girl agrees. There is some weird business about stretching her to fit a dildo inside so she can be impaled blah blah.
9. They bury her alive so everyone believes she is dead
10. She escapes the shallow grave and makes a run for it
11. One of the guys catches her. They have sex by a river. Because she literally can't help herself. They're both so turned on. And now, all because he told her she's a real person and she should think of herself that way, the girl thinks he is a good and compassionate guy. Woo...oh wait...
12. Other guys catch up and they all sleep in the forest. Oh, wait, did I mention they're all being trailed by an assassin who is apparently under orders to follow the girl and possibly kill her later? No. Well, there's that too!
13. Guys decide to carry her naked on horseback with her face covered because her hair is too recognizable. Just...why am I still here?
14. The guy she is riding with decides to cover her because he says the rest of her is too recognizable as well, with her many piercings and the red carpet she has going on down under. You know reasonable stuff.
15. Guy whose horse she's forced to ride on decides to feel her up without consent, but rather than feel disgusted by this violation to her person she feels turned on by it.
And that's where I stop.
I think this what I get for breaking my own rule about reading books with ratings less than 3.7 on Goodreads. Obviously, this does not include new releases or books I choose to read on or near their original release date. But for books that have been out for a while and have a sizable number of reviews, it is a rule I like to follow. This mess is a good example of why.
Verdict:
An utter waste of almost $5! I could've gotten myself some chicken nuggets from McDonald's and been infinitely happier.
July 26, 2019
This was the easiest reverse harem for me to read, all the different names and personalities were very easy to remember and pinpoint as each one spoke, even if they weren't identified at first, you just knew who they were. Avalon is, her unique self, a Huleon, Human, Mauleon mix. She had stolen a relic, the Claw of Truth and she had to pay with her life. Her guards and executioners were four very distinct men, all wounded in some way by the wars they battled in together. Takk the leader, Timin, the large but somehow weakened one, Kondio and Zo. I can't forget Nibbles who is a mousebot and with Avalon from the very beginning. Avalon is special, she has something called efsana, that will rule her and everyone around her. The sex is out of control, hot and undeniably needed, like the air they breathe, well the air they breathe does have something to do with it too. In the background of the story is J'kai, but that doesn't really influence their story until later. We get all we need with Avalon and the four Mauleon males that are affected by Avalon's efsana. I adored Nibbles who had a key role in a lot that happened to everyone really. I particularly liked the giant Timin, who was big and strong but weak and vulnerable at the same time. I was so happy that he could experience love too, even Nibbles took to him.
July 26, 2019
Thrilling and Intense!
WOW! This is an amazing, thrilling and intense story by a fantastic author. This story is packed full with action, suspense and a WHOLE lot of steam!! It kept me on the edge of my seat (squirming).
The main characters in this book are absolutely fantastic and well written. Avalon is an extremely strong and fierce woman who has had to do illegal things in order to survive a world run by Mauleons (big and strong warrior beasts). Avalon ends up in the very capable claws of four sexy warriors, Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo. These warriors are intense and battle hungry. And they know exactly what Avalon needs and are not afraid of showing her! They each are different in their own ways and show Avalon sides of themselves that they don't show often. Their interactions are explosive and extremely intense and steamy. I loved each and every one of them! They each have their own unique quirks and ways to devour a woman!
You will definitely need to practice your one-handed reading before diving into this book! I absolutely loved it and can't wait for more!
Highly recommend.
WOW! This is an amazing, thrilling and intense story by a fantastic author. This story is packed full with action, suspense and a WHOLE lot of steam!! It kept me on the edge of my seat (squirming).
The main characters in this book are absolutely fantastic and well written. Avalon is an extremely strong and fierce woman who has had to do illegal things in order to survive a world run by Mauleons (big and strong warrior beasts). Avalon ends up in the very capable claws of four sexy warriors, Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo. These warriors are intense and battle hungry. And they know exactly what Avalon needs and are not afraid of showing her! They each are different in their own ways and show Avalon sides of themselves that they don't show often. Their interactions are explosive and extremely intense and steamy. I loved each and every one of them! They each have their own unique quirks and ways to devour a woman!
You will definitely need to practice your one-handed reading before diving into this book! I absolutely loved it and can't wait for more!
Highly recommend.
July 26, 2019
Raise your manacled hands if you like a good Cari Silverwood story! So many hands. Now, give us some jazz hands if you like a dystopian story where large tech is seriously frowned upon (kaboom!), the heroine is a thief, there’s a reverse harem, mouse bot, florses (yes, FLORSES!), and that spear! So many fun things about this story. Avalon was all sorts of snarky sass and the mauleons were hot and tragic with heavy doses of snarkiness making the story pure entertainment. Did I mention the spear? Blink and you might miss it. Likes: Ms. Silverwood’s characters and world building will draw you in quickly as you find yourself #teamAvalon no matter what she’s up to. Or rather, it’s because she seems to constantly be up to something. And her internal thoughts! Those were priceless and I cackled like a witch at a 50% off cauldron sale.
All together and answer after me.
Me: What do we want?
Me: Fuck schti— / Everyone: tentacle dildos!
Me: Er, well, I was thinking fuck sticks. It has a better ring to it, less syllables. But yours sounds better. Should we try it again?
Me: What do we want?
Me: tentacle dil— / Everyone: Fuck sticks!
Me: I give up.
All together and answer after me.
Me: What do we want?
Me: Fuck schti— / Everyone: tentacle dildos!
Me: Er, well, I was thinking fuck sticks. It has a better ring to it, less syllables. But yours sounds better. Should we try it again?
Me: What do we want?
Me: tentacle dil— / Everyone: Fuck sticks!
Me: I give up.
July 27, 2019
Save me! I love love this book!!!! All of them spoke directly to me!! And I Knew the that Taak was gonna put IT DOWN!!! I love his mean ass!! I love Timin because we both go through then same thing so I know how he feels. And that Zo i thought was gonna be the sweetest but he came close and Ro is it? I forgot but he was a mean sweet!! I absolutely MUST read AGAIN!!!!! Cari Silverwood!!! You are AMAZING!!!!
July 27, 2019
Once again Cari Silverwood wows with this reverse harem novel.
I loved the characters, how they all meshed together and seeing how they came to mesh together. This is a great story with action and a lot of heart. The ending made my heart melt and was such a wonderful way to end this fantastic story.
I loved the characters, how they all meshed together and seeing how they came to mesh together. This is a great story with action and a lot of heart. The ending made my heart melt and was such a wonderful way to end this fantastic story.
July 28, 2019
Once again Cari Silverwood has made me fall in love with a world I will never be able to visit, inhabited by creatures I will never be able to meet except through the pages of her latest book, Condemned.
Whenever I start a new book by this author I feel a little like Alice falling through the rabbit hole. I never know what fantastical world I may land in and who or what I may meet.
Although familiar with this world from her previous book Ruled there are new lands to discover and new Mauleons to meet.
This isn’t as dark as Ms. Silverwood’s other stories,but there are some sensitive themes that are explored.
Like how do you deal with the emotional and physical scars of war and can you ever go back to your normal life after all you’ve seen and done. This is what Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo, four war weary Mauleons, are trying to come to grips with when they cross paths with Avalon.
Avalon is dealing with her own emotional baggage. A Huleon, half human, half Mauleon, she really doesn’t belong in either culture. Trying to find her place has made her trust in the wrong people and made her do things she shouldn’t.
After a failed botched robbery of an ancient Mauleon artifact, Avalon is given a death sentence, her only way to survive is to accept a very filthy, sexy offer by the four Mauleons. A deal is struck and a journey begins.
Along the way we meet a mouse bot, learn about a prophecy, meet a crazed sex cult and some assassins.
At the heart of this story is the relationship between these five damaged characters,how they come to understand how much they need each other to heal and feel whole.
I had never read a reverse harem story before, another first Ms. Silverwood has introduced me to, so I wasn’t sure how all these characters would mesh, especially during the sex scenes, but any doubt quickly vanished after the first few chapters. The sex scenes are super hot, but it’s the intimate emotional moments that had me falling in love and cheering fora HEA for this group.
Fingers crossed that this will not be the last time Ms. Silverwood writes about this world. I need a few more visits before I become tired, if ever.
Definitely recommend.
Whenever I start a new book by this author I feel a little like Alice falling through the rabbit hole. I never know what fantastical world I may land in and who or what I may meet.
Although familiar with this world from her previous book Ruled there are new lands to discover and new Mauleons to meet.
This isn’t as dark as Ms. Silverwood’s other stories,but there are some sensitive themes that are explored.
Like how do you deal with the emotional and physical scars of war and can you ever go back to your normal life after all you’ve seen and done. This is what Takk, Kondio, Timin, and Zo, four war weary Mauleons, are trying to come to grips with when they cross paths with Avalon.
Avalon is dealing with her own emotional baggage. A Huleon, half human, half Mauleon, she really doesn’t belong in either culture. Trying to find her place has made her trust in the wrong people and made her do things she shouldn’t.
After a failed botched robbery of an ancient Mauleon artifact, Avalon is given a death sentence, her only way to survive is to accept a very filthy, sexy offer by the four Mauleons. A deal is struck and a journey begins.
Along the way we meet a mouse bot, learn about a prophecy, meet a crazed sex cult and some assassins.
At the heart of this story is the relationship between these five damaged characters,how they come to understand how much they need each other to heal and feel whole.
I had never read a reverse harem story before, another first Ms. Silverwood has introduced me to, so I wasn’t sure how all these characters would mesh, especially during the sex scenes, but any doubt quickly vanished after the first few chapters. The sex scenes are super hot, but it’s the intimate emotional moments that had me falling in love and cheering fora HEA for this group.
Fingers crossed that this will not be the last time Ms. Silverwood writes about this world. I need a few more visits before I become tired, if ever.
Definitely recommend.
August 8, 2019
Firstly I've got to get this out of the way, Reverse Harem reads are not my choice of trope to read. So why did I read this? Condemned arrived in my inbox as an unexpected ARC and because I have a lot of faith in the author's previous books, I took a deep breath and dived in.
I wasn't expecting to be okay with 1 female and 4 males but I kinda was! In fact the only part that had me doing an eyeroll was the never having been spanked or whipped by a belt before scenario, Avalon discovering straight away she loves it. (Oh boy, ughhhh lol)
I have to say I was expecting this to be a 3 star read because of my avoidance of the trope but again, Ms Silverwood has written it so well, I just cannot give any less that the 4.5 stars.
It's the first time I've met a Mauleon, and all I can say is wow. Kinda have a soft spot for them all now, including Takk! Also a big shout out to cute little Nibbles, he's adorable!
I loved Avalon's character, just not the instant love of being whipped. But I loved her and the relationship she had with her Mauleons, though they seemed to own her not the other way around. I don't know fully how reverse harem works lol.
Great descriptions, storytelling, a helluva lot of kinky sex, as we've come to expect in these worlds Cari create. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed with what she creates, even with tropes I don't normally read, and that in itself says what a great writer she is.
I wasn't expecting to be okay with 1 female and 4 males but I kinda was! In fact the only part that had me doing an eyeroll was the never having been spanked or whipped by a belt before scenario, Avalon discovering straight away she loves it. (Oh boy, ughhhh lol)
I have to say I was expecting this to be a 3 star read because of my avoidance of the trope but again, Ms Silverwood has written it so well, I just cannot give any less that the 4.5 stars.
It's the first time I've met a Mauleon, and all I can say is wow. Kinda have a soft spot for them all now, including Takk! Also a big shout out to cute little Nibbles, he's adorable!
I loved Avalon's character, just not the instant love of being whipped. But I loved her and the relationship she had with her Mauleons, though they seemed to own her not the other way around. I don't know fully how reverse harem works lol.
Great descriptions, storytelling, a helluva lot of kinky sex, as we've come to expect in these worlds Cari create. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed with what she creates, even with tropes I don't normally read, and that in itself says what a great writer she is.
July 27, 2019
This is not as dark as a lot of Cari Silverwood's books, but it definitely has her sexy touch to it, because oh man, it is sexy AF. There are 4 broody mauleon males who have managed to capture a human/mauleon female thieft, and they have nefarious plans for her. Plans that she might just end up liking after all.
Avalon is a great character, in my opinion. She was treated like crap by her family, and then tricked into this job. You gotta wonder who exactly her family is, because we never really find out, and I would really like to know.
I think of Zo, Kondio, Timin, and Takk, that Zo is my favorite, followed closely by Kondio. Zo was really the first one to see her as a person, I think, and to show her how valued she was. Kondio treated her well too, once he started getting his head out of his rear. It's not like any of them treated her badly, it just took some of them longer to get their heads around what they are doing than it did than others.
Anyway, there are all kinds of fun Easter eggs in here, which I always like to find, and there is a lot of tension. And a lot of kinkery.
Avalon is a great character, in my opinion. She was treated like crap by her family, and then tricked into this job. You gotta wonder who exactly her family is, because we never really find out, and I would really like to know.
I think of Zo, Kondio, Timin, and Takk, that Zo is my favorite, followed closely by Kondio. Zo was really the first one to see her as a person, I think, and to show her how valued she was. Kondio treated her well too, once he started getting his head out of his rear. It's not like any of them treated her badly, it just took some of them longer to get their heads around what they are doing than it did than others.
Anyway, there are all kinds of fun Easter eggs in here, which I always like to find, and there is a lot of tension. And a lot of kinkery.
July 28, 2019
This is an extremely interesting, complex, sexy Sci-Fi story that takes us on an adventure that begins with a young woman stealing an artifact important to two civilizations. Unfortunately for her, she is captured and sentenced to death. The four wounded, yet brave soldiers (mauleons) who captured her feel any life is better than no life, so in exchange for her obedience and her body, they save her.
The four soldiers have been to war and each carries his own scars and his own view of the world. But somehow they have merged into a functioning family. I love to watch how the men speak to each other and how they accept each other’s strengths and flaws. I love the way they save and accept and train Avalon. I love the way Avalon sees the beauty of each man and how she responds.
Typical of Cari Silverwood, this story is filled with adventure, beautifully filthy erogenous sex, comedic elements, harsh yet caring soldiers and a young woman learning to become a part of a “family”. There are twists and turns and surprises throughout this story that just made me want to read it forever.
The four soldiers have been to war and each carries his own scars and his own view of the world. But somehow they have merged into a functioning family. I love to watch how the men speak to each other and how they accept each other’s strengths and flaws. I love the way they save and accept and train Avalon. I love the way Avalon sees the beauty of each man and how she responds.
Typical of Cari Silverwood, this story is filled with adventure, beautifully filthy erogenous sex, comedic elements, harsh yet caring soldiers and a young woman learning to become a part of a “family”. There are twists and turns and surprises throughout this story that just made me want to read it forever.
July 26, 2019
Condemned is Cari Silverwood’s best book yet! Her books only keep getting better! I zoomed through it! In other words, I couldn’t put this book down! This is a reverse Harem book there are 4 Mauleon battle worn Warriors Kondio, Zo, Takk and Timin. Plus 1 Avalon who is Huleon - ½ human ½ mauleon with a very human in appearance but not a human.
Avalon stole “The Claw of Truth” now she finds that she has been captured by these Mauleon warriors. Taken to court and sentenced to die. The Mauleon warriors that captured her are to take her to her execution place. They work out a scheme to save her. And what unfolds is Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
Cari has been known to push boundaries. Which I love about her books.
I think that Condemned was less about pushing boundaries and more about the story. If you count reverse harem’s as not pushing the boundaries.
Cari Silverwood you slay me! 5+ stars! Loved it!!!
Avalon stole “The Claw of Truth” now she finds that she has been captured by these Mauleon warriors. Taken to court and sentenced to die. The Mauleon warriors that captured her are to take her to her execution place. They work out a scheme to save her. And what unfolds is Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
Cari has been known to push boundaries. Which I love about her books.
I think that Condemned was less about pushing boundaries and more about the story. If you count reverse harem’s as not pushing the boundaries.
Cari Silverwood you slay me! 5+ stars! Loved it!!!
July 27, 2019
HOLY FREAK! That was one very steamy read. Reading this book is like experiencing one long heat flash. I am a huge fan of all of Cari Silverwood's work, but this Mauleons series might just be my new favorite. This is the second book set in this amazing world, but you don't need to have read the first one to love this one. I recommend it, but only because it's amazing in its own right.
This is the story of Avalon, Takk, Zo, Kondio, and Timin. And Nibbles, who would have thought a little mousebot would capture my heart? The story reads like a steampunk/dystopian/sci-fi steamy romance. Steamy might not quite be a strong enough word, but you get the point. The tale is full of danger, secrets, surprises, dominant alpha men (who have claws!), a strong female, and a HEA. I didn't want to put it down and I'm already anxious to get my hands on the next one. I'm dying to know what's going to happen to this strange world and all the sexy beasts who live there.
This is the story of Avalon, Takk, Zo, Kondio, and Timin. And Nibbles, who would have thought a little mousebot would capture my heart? The story reads like a steampunk/dystopian/sci-fi steamy romance. Steamy might not quite be a strong enough word, but you get the point. The tale is full of danger, secrets, surprises, dominant alpha men (who have claws!), a strong female, and a HEA. I didn't want to put it down and I'm already anxious to get my hands on the next one. I'm dying to know what's going to happen to this strange world and all the sexy beasts who live there.
July 28, 2019
Cari Silverwood has a talent for world crafting that draws me in each and every time. Ruled made me so curious about the setting and history of her story. Condemned continues that fascination. The fact there are countless intriguing characters with such a rich and deep story just keeps me coming back for more. I really liked our thief, Avalon, in this book, with her sassy, independent personality, and still so vulnerable, and in need of the protection the four mauleons offer. It's a daunting offer, to be sure, but still... beggars can't be choosers. Each man is so distinct, with their own personality, and motivation, done so artfully and easily. It never feels formulaic, which I like. If you're a fan of science fiction, or unique worlds and engrossing stories with some nice steaminess included, then definitely check this book out.
July 27, 2019
This is the second story in Cari Silverwood's Mauleon world and it's just as enticing as the first one but with an extra twist. Our spunky heroine has to deal with not one but three alpha Mauleons. I enjoyed Ms. Silverwood's first foray into reverse harem. I have to say that the genre can be hit or miss for me. However, it really worked in the context of this story, especially because Cari Silverwood took the time to develop each male's character. While I am partial to Zo, I appreciated and understood all male characters and their unique relationships with the heroine. As always with Ms. Silverwood's stories, you can expect a sizable serving of heat and an engaging plot that will keep you glued to your kindle. I can't wait for more Mauleon fun!
July 31, 2019
Condemned is Cari Silverwood’s best book yet!❤️❤️
This was an entertaining story that blended elements of mild bdsm, tech, and sci-fi in a world ravaged by war.
Avalon stole “The Claw of Truth” has been captured by these 4 Mauleon warrior's and sentenced to die. They are to take her to her execution place. They work out something to save her, but also to benefit themselves.
This is a reverse harem book that involves 4 battle worn Mauleon warriors whose names are Kondio, Zo, Takk and Timin the arthur mentions the Mauleon are (catlike people) in her book "Ruled" which is another excellent story and Avalon who is Huleon 1/2 human and 1/2 Mauleon she has a human appearance and when they get together wholly moley talk about some hot fun times.
This was an entertaining story that blended elements of mild bdsm, tech, and sci-fi in a world ravaged by war.
Avalon stole “The Claw of Truth” has been captured by these 4 Mauleon warrior's and sentenced to die. They are to take her to her execution place. They work out something to save her, but also to benefit themselves.
This is a reverse harem book that involves 4 battle worn Mauleon warriors whose names are Kondio, Zo, Takk and Timin the arthur mentions the Mauleon are (catlike people) in her book "Ruled" which is another excellent story and Avalon who is Huleon 1/2 human and 1/2 Mauleon she has a human appearance and when they get together wholly moley talk about some hot fun times.
July 26, 2019
I loved this reverse harem read! Avalon does what she must to survive and is caught stealing by 4 Mauleon soldiers. Sparks are soon flying between these battle-hardened warriors and Avalon. Will they be able to save her from her death sentence? Amazing world building? The characters have lots of depth and it very easy to get drawn into their story. I was hooked on this steamy read from beginning to end. I loved it!
August 15, 2019
This is one of those books in wich heroes treat the FMC bad.They never had any respect for her oppinions .Use her for sexual gratification,she gets off but is twisted somehow.
There are feromones involved ,but none of this is her choice.
It is sad really.
There are feromones involved ,but none of this is her choice.
It is sad really.
August 5, 2019
Wow!
New to me writer, but wonderful storyline. The characters were well written and relatable. Do you plan to do more on this planet?
New to me writer, but wonderful storyline. The characters were well written and relatable. Do you plan to do more on this planet?
February 20, 2021
This was okay but just that. The characters were not terribly distinct.
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