Punished by Tana Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The dark and deadly Vandar raider who was exiled to our planet refuses to help me. Not without a price.

Corvak is nothing like the men on my planet. He’s violent and brooding and wants nothing to do with a human female like me. But he’s the only one who knows how to fight. And I refuse to be helpless when the empire comes after our planet–and it’s only a matter of time until they do.

I’ve heard the rumors about the Vandar. They travel in invisible hordes of terrifying warbirds and their menacing raiders terrorize the empire and any ship that gets in their way. I don’t care. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to become a warrior, even if that means convincing Corvak that I’m worthy of his attention. Even if it means sneaking into his quarters and begging.

But am I willing to take the deal he finally offers me? He wants off the planet that I so desperately want to save. If he teaches me how to be a warrior, I have to help him escape. As much as the dominant Vandar gets under my skin, will I be able to watch him go?

Punished

She Fought Like a Girl—and That Was the Problem

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😍🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration

🛡️ Outcast Warrior Meets Rebellious Dreamer

Audiobook Review: Punished by Tana Stone
Narrated by Marcio Catalano & Addison Barnes

—

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero: Corvak

Exiled from his Vandar warship and stranded on the peaceful alien world of Kamithian 3, Corvak is a warrior without a war. Though the Kamithirians welcome him, their pacifist ways leave him restless. Immortality is the planet’s gift, but for Corvak, eternal boredom is no reward. He earns local hero status after fending off an invasion, yet his true ambition lies in training the Kamithirian males to defend themselves—whether they want to or not. His presence is a storm waiting to break, and Kamithian 3 may not be as safe as it seems.

—

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: Sienna

Sienna is a human firebrand in a society that insists she stay silent. Raised by a drunken missionary father who clings to patriarchal beliefs, she dreams of becoming a warrior—despite a culture that forbids women from training. Her bond with her sister Juliet is strained, especially with the arrival of the imposing Vandar warrior, Corvak, who stirs feelings Sienna swore she’d never entertain. Marriage is a trap she refuses to fall into, especially after watching it destroy her mother. But when war looms, Sienna’s defiance becomes her greatest weapon.

—

🔥 Plot Snapshot

Sienna’s family wants her to marry Donnell, the arrogant son of a minister. Juliet, smitten with Donnell herself, is caught in the emotional crossfire. But Donnell only has eyes for Sienna—who would rather spar than swoon. Disguised in a cloak, Sienna infiltrates the male-only training sessions and quickly proves herself, even besting Corvak in combat. Her identity is revealed, and she’s cast out despite her skill. But when the Zagrath—a ruthless faction of Earth’s former elite—set their sights on Kamithian 3’s secret to immortality, Corvak may have no choice but to turn to the one warrior who’s already proven she’s more than worthy.

—

❤️‍🔥 What Worked

• Sienna’s arc is a standout: She’s fierce, determined, and refuses to be boxed in by outdated gender roles. Her fight for agency on a planet stuck in the past is deeply satisfying.
• The tension builds beautifully: Between the looming Zagrath threat and the training sequences, the story keeps its momentum and stakes high.

—

🤨 What Fell Short

• The Zagrath reveal felt a bit on-the-nose: Earth’s one-percenters turned space colonizers? It’s a compelling idea, but their motivations and behavior felt too familiar, lacking the alien intrigue I hoped for.
• Some of the societal dynamics on Kamithian 3 could’ve been explored more deeply—especially the immortality angle, which was ripe for philosophical tension

—

🎧 Narration Vibes

Dual POVs, dual narrators—yes please.

• Marcio Catalano brings a velvety depth to Corvak’s voice, especially in the more intimate scenes. His delivery is smooth, grounded, and quietly intense.
• Addison Barnes injects energy and emotion into Sienna’s chapters. Her faster pace adds urgency, and her expressiveness makes Sienna’s frustration and fire leap off the page.

—

📝 Final Thoughts

This audiobook blends sci-fi, romance, and rebellion with a heroine who refuses to play by the rules. If you love stories where women fight for their place—literally and figuratively—this one delivers. The narration elevates the experience, and while the villains could use more nuance, the emotional payoff is worth the ride.

—

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub



View all my reviews