Combust by Tana Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Drexian warrior is brooding and mysterious–and he’s claimed me as his tribute.

When I don’t marry his nephew, I have no idea I’m still promised to Zoran’s clan. Imagine my shock when the dark and imposing alien informs me that he will be taking me as his tribute bride–and taking me back to the Drexian home world with him.

The silver fox warrior isn’t like the brash young Drexians on the station. He’s intense and serious and a bit scary, and I can’t imagine being his bride. But it appears I have no choice. I’m bound to him, which means my life will be as the mate of an alien I barely know and can’t imagine falling for.

Life on the Drexian home world is nothing like I expected, and I soon discover that our betrothal is not set in stone–or welcome by some in his clan. As political scheming and family secrets put us both in grave danger, can we learn to trust each other or will we be torn apart forever?

Combust

Claimed by Command

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

🛡️ Not Your Average Alien Engagement
🎧 Audiobook Review: Punished by Tana Stone
Narrated by Aubrey Vincent, Connor Goff & Jodi Bentley

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🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero: Zoran

Admiral Zoran is the kind of Drexian warrior who commands attention—and obedience. Once a feared trainer at the Drexian academy, he’s now returning to a galaxy on edge, with threats looming from both the Kronuck resurgence and the Scythian swarm. Used to taking what he wants, Zoran sets his sights on Noora, the tribute bride originally chosen for his nephew. When his nephew chooses love over duty, Zoran invokes clan rights to claim Noora for himself. His attraction to her has simmered since their first encounter, and now he intends to make her his—whether she agrees or not.

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🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: Noora

Noora never wanted to be a tribute bride. Her twin sister Leila hacked the system to take her place, and Noora was content to disappear into anonymity. But when the deception is uncovered, Noora is forcibly transported to the Island, a high-tech Drexian space station. After surviving a Kronuck attack en route, she’s determined to reclaim her autonomy and return to Earth—even if it means facing the scandal she once fled. She believes her sister’s romance with Noora’s intended mate has freed her from obligation. She’s wrong.

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🔥 Plot Snapshot

Noora’s plan to escape the tribute bride program unravels quickly. Her declaration to return to Earth is met with resistance—and then with Zoran, who arrives at her suite with a bold claim and zero patience. What follows is a tense, high-stakes clash of wills, set against a backdrop of interstellar politics, personal redemption, and unexpected desire.

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❤️‍🔥 What Worked

• Tana Stone delivers her signature blend of suspense, romance, and layered plotting. The pacing is tight, and the stakes feel real.
• The world-building is immersive and dynamic—shifting from sleek space stations to Drexian warships to their homeworld with cinematic flair.
• Zoran’s character arc is compelling: a hardened warrior grappling with unexpected vulnerability.

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🤨 What Fell Short

• Noora’s initial attitude felt a bit self-righteous. Her frustration is understandable, but she did sign up for the tribute bride program—even if reluctantly.
• Her belief that everything could be resolved with a simple conversation at the Drexian homeworld felt naïve given the complexity of her situation.

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🎧 Narration Vibes

Told through multiple POVs with duet narration, the audiobook brings added texture to the story:

• Aubrey Vincent’s expressive delivery suits Noora’s emotional journey, though her voice skews older than expected for the character.
• Connor Goff’s deep, slightly stiff tone works well for Zoran’s alien authority.
• Jodi Bentley shines in her supporting roles, giving distinct voices to side characters and adding depth to the ensemble.

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📝 Final Thoughts

Punished blends sci-fi action with emotional tension and romantic heat. Zoran and Noora’s dynamic is a slow burn wrapped in power plays and personal reckoning. If you enjoy stories where strong heroines push back against alpha males—and where the world-building is as rich as the romance—this one’s worth the listen.

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