Stolen: A Sci-fi Alien Warrior Romance: Tribute Brides of the Drexian Warriors, Book 9 by Tana Stone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When they told her she’d been abducted from Earth as a tribute bride for a badass alien warrior, Hope thought it was the craziest thing she’d ever heard. That was before she was kidnapped by space pirates.

Hope didn’t buy the idea of being a tribute bride. After all, she’d never been into commitment. But when she sees the Drexian who’s come to rescue her, she’s more impressed than she wants to admit. Not only is he gorgeous and built, but he seems willing to do anything to keep her safe. Too bad she has no intention of going anywhere but back to Earth.

Kos has always been a loyal and driven Drexian warrior, rising in the ranks to become first officer of the space station. He’s never spent much time with human women, but how complicated could they be? When he rescues Hope from the pirates, he figures the hard part is over. Now, he only has to get her back to Drexian space and formalize his mating claim on her.

What could possibly go wrong?

Only everything.

Stolen

Alien Bride Lottery: A Gritty Rescue Undermined by Character Misfires

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

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Hope

Hope, a fiercely independent New Zealander, is yanked from Earth and thrust into an intergalactic nightmare. Her government has sold her out—literally—as part of a tribute bride program to the Drexians, a warrior race offering protection from the Kronocks, a more brutal alien threat. Hope isn’t having it. She resists the bride designation, but before she can make a move, the Kronocks attack the space station. She’s evacuated with other women, only to be captured by space pirates who begin auctioning them off like exotic pets. Her journey is a relentless fight for autonomy in a galaxy that sees her as a commodity.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Kos

Kos, first mate aboard the Drexian space station “The Boat,” is matched with Hope just as chaos erupts. During the evacuation, he stays behind to help his captain rescue a stranded human woman. His ship crashes in a rainforest on a nearby planet, delaying his reunion with Hope. When he finally reaches the rendezvous point, he discovers she’s been taken by pirates. Kos joins forces with Inferno Force—elite Drexian warriors—to mount a rescue. But claiming his bride won’t be simple. Hope isn’t waiting to be rescued. She’s planning her escape.

🔥 Plot Pulse

This installment delivers high-stakes action and a galaxy-spanning rescue mission. Kos and Hope’s paths collide in a whirlwind of danger, defiance, and unexpected intimacy. Kos believes once he rescues Hope, their bond will be sealed. But Hope has other plans—namely, getting back to Earth and reclaiming her freedom. Their dynamic is tense, layered, and full of friction, especially when they’re forced into compromising situations by alien captors. The Inferno Force subplot adds military grit, while the pirate threat injects urgency and chaos.

❤️‍🔥 What Hit Home

• The action-adventure arc is compelling. Watching Kos and Hope navigate alien jungles, pirate ships, and emotional minefields kept me engaged.
• The Drexian world-building continues to expand in satisfying ways, especially through the Inferno Force.

🤨 Room to Grow

• The alien zoo scene was a hard pass. Forced intimacy under surveillance felt exploitative and unnecessary.
• Hope’s characterization didn’t land for me. Her abrasiveness and impulsivity often felt more grating than empowering. She made choices without considering consequences, which undermined her agency. I wanted more emotional depth and strategic resilience.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Jodie Bentley returns to narrate this dual POV adventure. While her voice is familiar and generally solid, the attempt at a New Zealand accent for Hope misses the mark. Instead of Kiwi authenticity, we get a jarring blend of cockney and Irish, which clashes with Hope’s already brash personality. It’s distracting and detracts from immersion—especially for listeners who love accents (I’m partial to Australian myself). The mismatch between character and voice made Hope harder to connect with.

📝 Final Thoughts

This entry in the Alien Bride Lottery series delivers on action and world-building but stumbles on emotional resonance and character likability. Kos shines as a loyal, capable hero, while Hope’s arc feels underdeveloped. The narration falters where it matters most—accent and tone—making it harder to root for a heroine who’s already difficult to love. Still, if you’re here for the interstellar drama and elite warrior rescues, there’s plenty to enjoy.

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