Deal with the Alien Devil

Brides of the Vinduthi, Book 1

De: Ava York

Narrado por: Mia Madison, Oliver Highpoint

I need a deal to survive. But all I have to offer is . . . myself.

On the station, humans are the lowest of the low. We take whatever jobs we can, scraping just to get by.

Comfort is rare. Security a dream. And a real friend? Almost unheard of.

So when my best friend goes missing, I'm desperate to find her. But before long my search leads me to the claws of the leader of the Vinduthi cartel.

He's terrifying. Utterly ruthless.

He'll help me find my friend, but can I pay the price he demands?

Contains mature themes.

©2023 Ava York (P)2024 Tantor

Galactic Shenanigans

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 🙁🤓😍🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

🧍‍♀️ The Heroine: Tessi

Tessi, a human woman navigating the harsh reality of Thodos 3, offers a compelling entry point into a world where humans rank low in the interspecies hierarchy. Her indentured role as a dancer at Club Pulsar under the control of the Mondian Banek frames her struggle for autonomy. Her decision to risk the back alleys emphasizes her desperation and resilience, though the narrative leans heavily on classic damsel tropes when she’s rescued by Alkard. Her driving motivation—to find her missing friend Mira—grounds her arc emotionally, though it remains largely unresolved by the story’s conclusion.

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🧑‍🚀 The Hero: Alkard

Alkard, the Vinduthi leader of the Fangs cartel, is introduced in a blend of savior and negotiator roles. His initial act of rescue feels emotionally charged, but his quick pivot to business at Club Pulsar suggests a character torn between power and instinctual protectiveness. His interest in Tessi quickly shifts from convenience to compulsion, and while this sparks chemistry, it risks overshadowing his deeper potential as a politically complex figure. His motivations for offering Tessi freedom are admirable, but lack full development beyond romantic impulse.

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🧠 Plot Dynamics

Set against the backdrop of Thodos 3’s volatile criminal power struggles, the story introduces rich potential for layered intrigue—faction rivalries, weapon shipments, and cartel negotiations. However, exposition-heavy world-building at the outset may overwhelm readers before emotional stakes are properly established. The tension between Alkard’s cartel and rival factions is undercut by rushed scene transitions and underexplored alliances, especially with characters like Kony who remain largely enigmatic.

While Alkard’s decision to intervene in Tessi’s contract creates a morally grey moment of possessive heroism, the narrative doesn’t probe deeply into its implications. Tessi’s choice to work with Alkard hinges on a promise that echoes the genre’s familiar redemption arc, but the political conflict and Mira’s disappearance remain unresolved, leaving the final chapters feeling abruptly cut off.

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😍 Highlights

• The political tension and missing weapons subplot add an engaging layer of external conflict that elevates the stakes beyond the romantic arc.
• The chemistry between Tessi and Alkard is palpable, with steamy scenes balanced by moments of genuine emotional tension.

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🙃 What Missed the Mark

• Overloaded Introduction: The opening deluge of alien races and faction politics creates cognitive fatigue before character motivations can take root.
• Character Crowding: The abundance of secondary players—most minimally developed—dilutes the narrative focus and causes confusion.
• Unresolved Arcs: The disappearance of Mira and the station’s unstable power dynamics are left hanging, weakening the emotional and political payoff.

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🎧 Audiobook Impressions

Narrated by Mia Madison and Oliver Highpoint, the dual-POV performance aligns well with the story’s structure. Madison’s slightly deep register lends Tessi a grounded tone, matching the character’s age and resolve. Her male character interpretations are solid and unobtrusive. Highpoint, while competent, delivers with a more monotone style—his lack of vocal range limits emotional resonance, especially in tense or intimate scenes. A deeper vocal timbre and dynamic inflection might have lent Alkard more authority and nuance.