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Human Pets of Talin #5
Craving Captivity
Sick and dying, Lasha is suddenly plucked from her horrific circumstances by Tamerin, a badly scarred Talin male. She recovers under his gentle care, but she knows he’s keeping a secret from her. She wants to demand he tell her, but what if it’s something she can’t live with?LashaLasha Chandra has always struggled. Unlike most, learning to read and write proved impossible for her. Math wasn’t any easier because the numbers liked to jumble around and refused to keep any type of order. More often than not, she’d been reduced to tears as first she tried to learn to read and then later looked for work.Being human was already a strike against her. Because they had no homeworld, humans had a reputation for being emotional, destructive, and stupid. That made it difficult for a human to find employment anywhere. With her added issues, she found it nearly insurmountable. That led her to sign a contract that put her in a position barely better than a slave. Working for nothing more than room and board, she had toiled for her merciless employer. She missed her family and small human community on Wimol, but at least she wasn’t a burden to them any longer.Then she got sick.Employees who didn’t work weren’t fed. She couldn’t keep up with the pace and eventually succumbed to her illness. Unwilling to waste any resources on her, they tossed her into an unused storage room so someone more productive could have her bunk. She lay there in the gloom, dazed from fever and expecting to die.TamerinBadly wounded while in the military, Tamerin was used to other Talins sounding rumbles of pity when they saw him. When he randomly ran into his cousin, Palforma, he’s overjoyed to not only reconnect, but to meet his cousin’s human, Zia. When he helped them escape a nasty situation, he was rewarded when Zia asked him to rescue a friend she hadn’t heard from in a long time.Determined, Tamerin set off to find Zia’s friend, Lasha. It didn’t take him long to track down the poor girl and buy her contract. She recovered slowly and suffered from fearful anxiety as she got better. He worked hard to gain her trust as she recovered. She might have even been developing feelings for him.He had a problem, though. Zia made him promise one thing. He would explain to Lasha that once they’re in the Talin Empire, she would be classified as a pet. Property. Owned by him.He would never go back on his word, but did that mean he’d lose his songbird?This book contains subjects including sex, mentions of sexual violence, strong language, and violence. Mature audiences, 18+ readers only. Please use the Amazon “Look Inside” feature to view trigger/content warnings.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2023
68 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 17, 2023
This book was super sweet. Lasha and her man were adorable together and had all the right chemistry. However, I don’t think that the revelation of the secret Tamerin was keeping was handled very well. There needed to be some groveling and more anger to make it more believable.
I liked how this book continued the main plot through the series by addressing the sicknesses that no Talin like to talk about. The main plot has been slow moving, but since it involves such major societal changes, it makes sense for it to move slowly.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: authors lists at start of book
I liked how this book continued the main plot through the series by addressing the sicknesses that no Talin like to talk about. The main plot has been slow moving, but since it involves such major societal changes, it makes sense for it to move slowly.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: authors lists at start of book
May 15, 2025
Craving Captivity was the fifth book in R.K.Munin's Human Pets of Talin series. The series is fun sci-fi romance with a bit of adventure and intrigue thrown into the mix.
The story of this fifth instalment focused on Lasha, a human woman we had learned was facing dire circumstances in the previous instalment of the series. Lasha was rescued from a horrific near-death situation by Tamerin, a Talin warrior distinguished by his scars and asked by Zia to find Lasha. Lasha's journey involved a slow recovery under Tamerin's dedicated care. While recovering she had to confront long standing self-worth issues stemming from lifelong learning difficulties which hindered her ability to get work. Tamerin, meanwhile, wrestled with his growing feelings for Lasha and the difficult truth he would eventually have to reveal about her status as a 'pet' under Talin law.
I was a little more wary going into this one as I felt Lasha had been set up to be potentially very submissive and passive. However, my fears proved unfounded, as I ended up really liking the story we got. While Lasha was certainly different from more overtly proactive heroines like Lakin and Zia, she was still very easy to root for. Despite her vulnerabilities and initial fragility she managed to achieve quite a bit in her own right and displayed a strong sense of self as she healed and grew.
The romance still had that touch of insta-love that I’ve noted in the later books in the series but outside of that it was a fun and heartwarming pairing. Tamerin came across as pretty liberal for a Talin. He seemed to see Lasha as an individual deserving of care and respect from the start, which was a key part of their connection. I liked their dynamic and thought they developed the most playful rapport of any couple in the series so far, especially as Lasha regained her strength and confidence.
I also enjoyed the fact that we encountered a new alien species, and that a significant portion of the story, around the first 40%, took place outside of Talin controlled space. It provided a fresh perspective and expanded the world. I also just liked the Vrix Doctor character! Hopefully we see her again.
All in all, I ended up really enjoying this fifth installment of the series and will definitely be pushing on with the rest of the series. It remains a very weird but very fun sci-fi romance series!
Rating: 4.5 stars. Surprisingly fun!
Audio Note: Due to no official audio I listened to this one via the Eleven Reader text-to-speech app. Used the Arabella voice. Not as good as the others I’ve tried but still passable. This is the best text-to-speech software I’ve encountered so far but it goes without saying that it does not come close to matching high quality professional narration.
The story of this fifth instalment focused on Lasha, a human woman we had learned was facing dire circumstances in the previous instalment of the series. Lasha was rescued from a horrific near-death situation by Tamerin, a Talin warrior distinguished by his scars and asked by Zia to find Lasha. Lasha's journey involved a slow recovery under Tamerin's dedicated care. While recovering she had to confront long standing self-worth issues stemming from lifelong learning difficulties which hindered her ability to get work. Tamerin, meanwhile, wrestled with his growing feelings for Lasha and the difficult truth he would eventually have to reveal about her status as a 'pet' under Talin law.
I was a little more wary going into this one as I felt Lasha had been set up to be potentially very submissive and passive. However, my fears proved unfounded, as I ended up really liking the story we got. While Lasha was certainly different from more overtly proactive heroines like Lakin and Zia, she was still very easy to root for. Despite her vulnerabilities and initial fragility she managed to achieve quite a bit in her own right and displayed a strong sense of self as she healed and grew.
The romance still had that touch of insta-love that I’ve noted in the later books in the series but outside of that it was a fun and heartwarming pairing. Tamerin came across as pretty liberal for a Talin. He seemed to see Lasha as an individual deserving of care and respect from the start, which was a key part of their connection. I liked their dynamic and thought they developed the most playful rapport of any couple in the series so far, especially as Lasha regained her strength and confidence.
I also enjoyed the fact that we encountered a new alien species, and that a significant portion of the story, around the first 40%, took place outside of Talin controlled space. It provided a fresh perspective and expanded the world. I also just liked the Vrix Doctor character! Hopefully we see her again.
All in all, I ended up really enjoying this fifth installment of the series and will definitely be pushing on with the rest of the series. It remains a very weird but very fun sci-fi romance series!
Rating: 4.5 stars. Surprisingly fun!
Audio Note: Due to no official audio I listened to this one via the Eleven Reader text-to-speech app. Used the Arabella voice. Not as good as the others I’ve tried but still passable. This is the best text-to-speech software I’ve encountered so far but it goes without saying that it does not come close to matching high quality professional narration.
June 19, 2023
I liked the through plot stuff but Tamerin can eat a bag of dicks.
June 21, 2023
I wanted to like this more, but I felt it suffered from insta-love syndrome with Lasha (the FMC) falling in love with the MMC basically at 25% mark, right after she's recovered from her illness and almost dying. There was no time for her to develop any feelings for him other than appreciation for rescuing her, and lust, and it's hard to believe she has any kind of sex drive after being a hair's breadth from expiring. Meanwhile, he is relying on her to cure his Fading sickness. The magic of the first books in this series has worn off for me.
July 26, 2023
amazing, breathtaking
Omg read this book! Do not pass go and collect the 200$. This book is amazing and I will be rereading it this month alone probably 15 times. I can’t get enough from this Author. Her world building is amazing and every time I think there is no way to top a book, a new one comes out and is even better! And the fact that the female lead isn’t “normal” is amazing. There isn’t much representation for the “disabled” community, but RK Munin always represents! And the characters aren’t off in a corner while everyone gets on with their day. Love it. Want more. Need more as soon as possible. I already read the blurb for the next book in this series and I need it today.
I read this book in a single setting. I went to sleep supper early the day before this book came out so that I could get up at midnight to read it before going to work, 10000% worth it!
Omg read this book! Do not pass go and collect the 200$. This book is amazing and I will be rereading it this month alone probably 15 times. I can’t get enough from this Author. Her world building is amazing and every time I think there is no way to top a book, a new one comes out and is even better! And the fact that the female lead isn’t “normal” is amazing. There isn’t much representation for the “disabled” community, but RK Munin always represents! And the characters aren’t off in a corner while everyone gets on with their day. Love it. Want more. Need more as soon as possible. I already read the blurb for the next book in this series and I need it today.
I read this book in a single setting. I went to sleep supper early the day before this book came out so that I could get up at midnight to read it before going to work, 10000% worth it!
June 17, 2023
These are like crack. Snorting these books up is so fun fun.
Plus, there was a sixty-nine scene AND a semi-public frottage scene. 🥵🥵🥵
Plus, there was a sixty-nine scene AND a semi-public frottage scene. 🥵🥵🥵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
This was an improvement on the last one.
Still felt like the love developed a bit fast but if a hot man saved me from certain death and years of suffering I'm not sure I wouldn't have been immediately devoted to him too.
I like that humans are gaining more agency with this new clinic giving them "jobs".
Kinda annoyed the ML still lied after Zia warned him.
So far all of our FL have been of the tiny but mighty category or inherently submissive in some way. Some I would even say have a brat dynamic. I hope in future books we get a real femme fatale. I would love to see a real dominating human woman making a Talon flustered.
Still felt like the love developed a bit fast but if a hot man saved me from certain death and years of suffering I'm not sure I wouldn't have been immediately devoted to him too.
I like that humans are gaining more agency with this new clinic giving them "jobs".
Kinda annoyed the ML still lied after Zia warned him.
So far all of our FL have been of the tiny but mighty category or inherently submissive in some way. Some I would even say have a brat dynamic. I hope in future books we get a real femme fatale. I would love to see a real dominating human woman making a Talon flustered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
I had a tough time with this one. I liked the final few chapters a lot. but the first 3/4 were harder for me to get into. neither MC seemed to really have a distinguishable personality.
I have a really hard time getting on board with insta love in any book, and I struggled with it here too. Plus, for me personally the spicy scenes were kind of cringey. The scene of them getting off in public was... not for me. I just didn't really like this couple and it felt like the plot was a bit chaotic for the first portion.
Finally, it bugged me that Tamerin kept the whole pet thing a secret--wasnt disclosing that part explicitly part of the promise Zia asked him to make?!
I have a really hard time getting on board with insta love in any book, and I struggled with it here too. Plus, for me personally the spicy scenes were kind of cringey. The scene of them getting off in public was... not for me. I just didn't really like this couple and it felt like the plot was a bit chaotic for the first portion.
Finally, it bugged me that Tamerin kept the whole pet thing a secret--wasnt disclosing that part explicitly part of the promise Zia asked him to make?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2024
Totally Worthwhile
I love where this author's mind dwells. All of her books in this series leave one feeling the effects of the butterfly effect. This story's heroin is dyslexic like the author, and cannot read, but is still filled with compassion. Through joining the Talin World, she finally finds her purpose in life and at risk to herself, goes about saving lives. I gave this 5 stars, because I know how hard it is to overcome dyslexia, but both the author and the heroine overcame all the obstacles while clinging to love natures and compassion for others! I would love to read the story she wrote in this series that is in an anthology of Sci-Fi Romance, but apparently Amazon has banned it! Shame!! On another author's website, I was able to see that the anthology got 5star reviews, but Amazon and Goodreads banned it afterwards. It was to benefit Native Americans.
I love where this author's mind dwells. All of her books in this series leave one feeling the effects of the butterfly effect. This story's heroin is dyslexic like the author, and cannot read, but is still filled with compassion. Through joining the Talin World, she finally finds her purpose in life and at risk to herself, goes about saving lives. I gave this 5 stars, because I know how hard it is to overcome dyslexia, but both the author and the heroine overcame all the obstacles while clinging to love natures and compassion for others! I would love to read the story she wrote in this series that is in an anthology of Sci-Fi Romance, but apparently Amazon has banned it! Shame!! On another author's website, I was able to see that the anthology got 5star reviews, but Amazon and Goodreads banned it afterwards. It was to benefit Native Americans.
September 10, 2024
Story of Lasha and Tamerin.
Lasha is under a slave/work contract, gets sick and is shoved in a small room to die. Tamerin shows up to buy her contract and rescue her. They then need to wait for her to recover before they can leave the planet. Things get stressful when her slave owner tries to kidnap her back and her healer needs help escaping the planet too.
Lasha is under a slave/work contract, gets sick and is shoved in a small room to die. Tamerin shows up to buy her contract and rescue her. They then need to wait for her to recover before they can leave the planet. Things get stressful when her slave owner tries to kidnap her back and her healer needs help escaping the planet too.
June 8, 2025
Wow!! Another Great installment!!
Wow!! I loved both FMC & MMC!
I like how each book is getting more into the history and problems with the Talin worlds.
And how the humans are helping the Talins...not only giving them an outlet for the love that they want/need to express and receive, but also to help heal some of those who are in the Fading.
Wow!! I loved both FMC & MMC!
I like how each book is getting more into the history and problems with the Talin worlds.
And how the humans are helping the Talins...not only giving them an outlet for the love that they want/need to express and receive, but also to help heal some of those who are in the Fading.
September 11, 2024
This was my favourite book in the series. Lasha was able to finally do something tangible for the Talins! This gives me hope that they will finally be able to see the humans as more than pets but, of course, they are stubborn and strong in their delusion. But she founded a hospice, wow!
June 6, 2024
Quick easy read. Good world building and the chemistry was there between the h & H. A big portion of the book was the H taking care of the h (about 40% of the beginning) which I enjoyed
June 20, 2024
I got bored at the half way point when the tone shifted from romance to pure porno.
September 15, 2024
More of 3.5
This was a fun quick read in the Human Pets of Talin series.
It was about what I expected.
This was a fun quick read in the Human Pets of Talin series.
It was about what I expected.
January 10, 2025
Thank god there wasn’t any drama after he told her the truth bcs it got dragged until near the end 😅
September 10, 2025
I enjoyed this one, too. Temerin was too easy for all for despite him not telling Lasha the truth immediately. But he doesn't treat her like a dumb pet. He lets her lead, even. I liked these two.
April 17, 2024
Another banger...the sweetness is unreal.
This was another great story and characters. I loved that we were finally able to see the fading treated to a group of Talins. I would love to see a clinic romance blossoms and heck maybe two brothers finding their perfect bond.
This author is an automatic read for me. Can not wait for the next story!
This was another great story and characters. I loved that we were finally able to see the fading treated to a group of Talins. I would love to see a clinic romance blossoms and heck maybe two brothers finding their perfect bond.
This author is an automatic read for me. Can not wait for the next story!
June 26, 2023
Another sweet-scented book to add to a perfectly aromatic series.
I love this universe. I love the different heroines. I love how books 3 through 4 had extremely strong, talented, bad-ass heroines. And I also love that book 5 took me back to book 1, to a more soft-hearted heroine.
Zia, for all that she was small and deaf, did not feel as if even a meteor would crush her.
Lasha reminded me of Sora. She was sweet and vulnerable in all the right places. The protective hero works better when he has a good reason to protect. In this universe, space is vast and cold. People like Lasha need support to survive and thrive and that's fine. She finds it in Tamerin.
Tamerin, sweet, loving Tamerin manages to have all the great characteristics of the Talin and still be his own character. He isn't very confident and he doesn't feel worthy, but not so much because of his scars, like Dalt and Palforma, but because of he has started to doubt the Talin Empire.
I love this universe. I love the different heroines. I love how books 3 through 4 had extremely strong, talented, bad-ass heroines. And I also love that book 5 took me back to book 1, to a more soft-hearted heroine.
Zia, for all that she was small and deaf, did not feel as if even a meteor would crush her.
Lasha reminded me of Sora. She was sweet and vulnerable in all the right places. The protective hero works better when he has a good reason to protect. In this universe, space is vast and cold. People like Lasha need support to survive and thrive and that's fine. She finds it in Tamerin.
Tamerin, sweet, loving Tamerin manages to have all the great characteristics of the Talin and still be his own character. He isn't very confident and he doesn't feel worthy, but not so much because of his scars, like Dalt and Palforma, but because of he has started to doubt the Talin Empire.
October 26, 2023
Craving Captivity
In this book in the series, the author takes on addressing "the Fading", a condition caused by a lack of expressed affection and love. Of course, human pets with our unregulated emotions can help with that. The MFC and MMC are delightful. And the backstory/world building is moving along well.
While taking on the Fading, the MFC explains to the Talin, “The body won’t fight to live if the spirit has given up. We have to care for both”. A succinct bit of wisdom for real life too.
My other favorite line is an apt description of Talins in general.
"She’d caught them talking about property and mutually beneficial arrangements yesterday. It had taken some time, but she’d come to realize that was the Talin version of flirting.
Ah, to be in love and whispering sweet words of investments!"
In this book in the series, the author takes on addressing "the Fading", a condition caused by a lack of expressed affection and love. Of course, human pets with our unregulated emotions can help with that. The MFC and MMC are delightful. And the backstory/world building is moving along well.
While taking on the Fading, the MFC explains to the Talin, “The body won’t fight to live if the spirit has given up. We have to care for both”. A succinct bit of wisdom for real life too.
My other favorite line is an apt description of Talins in general.
"She’d caught them talking about property and mutually beneficial arrangements yesterday. It had taken some time, but she’d come to realize that was the Talin version of flirting.
Ah, to be in love and whispering sweet words of investments!"
June 17, 2023
Can Lasha be saved?
Zia had a friend, Lasha, back on the human colony and she is convinced that she would love being a Talin pet. Tamerin wants a human of his own, so he sets out to find Lasha. By the time he finds Lasha, she is dying but he buys out her contact and takes her to heal. The story unfolds while Lasha is recovering and continues on to the homeworld.
This story has new drama and insight into the Talin culture which RK has wonderfully created. The book is well written with good world building and each character pair is unique. I continue to enjoy seeing how the Talin people continue to change and grow with their humans. This story is part of a series but this is a standalone with a HEA.
Zia had a friend, Lasha, back on the human colony and she is convinced that she would love being a Talin pet. Tamerin wants a human of his own, so he sets out to find Lasha. By the time he finds Lasha, she is dying but he buys out her contact and takes her to heal. The story unfolds while Lasha is recovering and continues on to the homeworld.
This story has new drama and insight into the Talin culture which RK has wonderfully created. The book is well written with good world building and each character pair is unique. I continue to enjoy seeing how the Talin people continue to change and grow with their humans. This story is part of a series but this is a standalone with a HEA.
June 14, 2023
Rk Munin is one of my favorite authors. This is the 5th book in the Human pets of Talin series. It is just as good as all the previous books. What I like most about this book is both of the main characters are not "normal" and seem like they are flawed, yet they have abilities that make them perfect for each other. There may be some trigger sections for some people, but to me those situations were laying the groundwork for the story. I really like the alien Talins and loved the characters in this story. I would recommend it.
June 22, 2023
Tears, danger, love!
When Tamerin goes to find Lasha she is barely clinging to life I cried as he worked to save her. In fact I cried two or three times in the first forty pages of the book. There is danger as they try to leave the planet, then more anxiety when Tamerin learns his sister is dying of the Fading. Pasha discovers she has a way to help t the ones suffering from the Fading. And there is the love story of Pasha and Tamerin. Such a good book. I loved it!
When Tamerin goes to find Lasha she is barely clinging to life I cried as he worked to save her. In fact I cried two or three times in the first forty pages of the book. There is danger as they try to leave the planet, then more anxiety when Tamerin learns his sister is dying of the Fading. Pasha discovers she has a way to help t the ones suffering from the Fading. And there is the love story of Pasha and Tamerin. Such a good book. I loved it!
July 12, 2023
How wonderful!
I've read all the prior books and I'm just fascinated by the Talins and humans. I can't wait to read more. This is great reading! I love the theme of this particular book. I did want to hear more about Sora and Serrin children. How are they right under the Traditionalists nose? I want to know their descriptions, are they full Talin looking or a mix of both?Are they a boy and girl? Do they limit themselves to only two as well? I have questions.
I've read all the prior books and I'm just fascinated by the Talins and humans. I can't wait to read more. This is great reading! I love the theme of this particular book. I did want to hear more about Sora and Serrin children. How are they right under the Traditionalists nose? I want to know their descriptions, are they full Talin looking or a mix of both?Are they a boy and girl? Do they limit themselves to only two as well? I have questions.
December 11, 2023
songbird
Craving Captivity is book five in the series Human Pets of Talin by author RK Munin. Ok so I know in an earlier review I said Palfroma’s book(4) was my favorite, this one is a close second. This book me is filled with so much emotion and joy, hope. The this horrible disease called The Fading- a wasting disease. And it seems a courageous pet has found a way to combat it. Apparently we humans are enterprising- lol.
Enjoy!!
Craving Captivity is book five in the series Human Pets of Talin by author RK Munin. Ok so I know in an earlier review I said Palfroma’s book(4) was my favorite, this one is a close second. This book me is filled with so much emotion and joy, hope. The this horrible disease called The Fading- a wasting disease. And it seems a courageous pet has found a way to combat it. Apparently we humans are enterprising- lol.
Enjoy!!
June 14, 2023
Great romantic sci fi adventure
I have to admit I mostly skip the graphic sex, but the story is great. Lasha tackles a problem I've been waiting for someone to address. And I laughed a lot after Tamerin and Lasha got to the planet. Lasha is one of the most logical and pragmatic of the female characters in this series, and I really enjoyed her book.
I have to admit I mostly skip the graphic sex, but the story is great. Lasha tackles a problem I've been waiting for someone to address. And I laughed a lot after Tamerin and Lasha got to the planet. Lasha is one of the most logical and pragmatic of the female characters in this series, and I really enjoyed her book.
June 17, 2023
amazing as always
I have read all of the books before this one including her new series based on how humans came in to Tailn control. Both are amazing and keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for both the next books to come out. In the meantime I think it’s about time I revisit Sora’s story for the 3-4th time.
I have read all of the books before this one including her new series based on how humans came in to Tailn control. Both are amazing and keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for both the next books to come out. In the meantime I think it’s about time I revisit Sora’s story for the 3-4th time.
June 19, 2023
This book embodied one of my favourite tropes. I love the big strong man coming in to save the girl and help her navigate the world. Not only does the book have the sweet and hot romance but some amazing world building! After reading the every book in the series the additions of the growth of the culture was awesome.
July 12, 2023
Heroine is very sick and dying due to a terrible factory job that scarred her lungs. The hero finds her and buys her contract in the nick of time. He helps her get healthy again.
At least two more books are planned (maybe more) according to the author in the notes at the end of this book. I'd like to read more books in this series.
At least two more books are planned (maybe more) according to the author in the notes at the end of this book. I'd like to read more books in this series.
October 30, 2023
I love the world building and the overall plot of this series, but the romances are always my least favorite part. It always feels like everything comes too fast. The series may would benefit from repeating a couple so that we can connect some of the pieces without having to build a whole new relationship that is only going to be rushed anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews