Subdue: A Sc-Fi Alien Warrior Romance by Tana Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the kalesh of the Taori ship, it’s his sworn duty to reassemble his crew and exact revenge on the aliens who destroyed their ship. He has no time for a distraction like her .

When Kalesh Naz wakes from crashing in his escape pod, he’s enraged to find himself locked in a dungeon. He’s on a battle moon where he and other fierce aliens are forced to battle for their survival as entertainment for the cruel Xulonians. He will do anything to get back to his crew–even if it makes awakening the long-dormant barbaric ways of his ancestors and harnessing the mating fever that simmers beneath the surface.

But how can he subdue his mating fever when the female assigned to attend to him in the dank cells beneath the battle ring is so mysterious and alluring? And how can he escape and reunite his crew when all he can think about is winning in the ring so he can return to her?

SUBDUE is a full-length sci-fi romance novel with an HEA and no cheating. It features hot scenes on a battle moon, violent alien gladiator battles, and some seriously steamy dungeon scenes.

Subdue

Bloodbound in the Arena

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

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Subdue

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance | Narrators: Aubrey Vincent & Marcio Catalano
Series: The Sky Clan of the Taori, Book 4

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Tyrria

Tyrria is a survivor in every sense of the word. Born of two worlds — half-Lycithian, half-Kayling — she’s never manifested the Lycithian gift of shapeshifting, which only deepens her sense of otherness. Sold by her own father into the brutal hands of the Xulonians, she’s thrust into a gladiator moon where enslaved males fight to the death for the “reward” of a female companion. Tyrria knows the rules of this twisted game, but she refuses to be broken by them. Her quiet resilience and strategic mind make her more than just a prize — she’s a wildcard in a system built to crush hope.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Kalesh Naz

Naz is a warrior out of time. As the Kalesh — the captain and spiritual anchor of his crew — he once led the immortal Taori army through endless battles. But a wormhole catapults him 500 years into the future, where the Xulonians destroy his ship and scatter his crew. He wakes in a dungeon, stripped of command and forced into a bloodsport he never chose. Yet even in chains, Naz is lethal. And when he meets Tyrria — the woman who ignites his queben, the primal mating instinct — his purpose shifts. Escape is no longer just survival. It’s salvation. For both of them.

🔥 Plot Pulse

Naz’s first arena victory earns him a reprieve from the dungeon — and Tyrria. Their connection is instant, visceral, and dangerous. He vows to protect her and take her with him when he escapes. But the Xulonians have other plans. When Tyrria is thrown into the arena mid-battle, Naz’s queben explodes. He blacks out, and when he wakes, his opponent is nothing but shredded remains. The stakes have changed. The bond between them is no longer just instinct — it’s war-worthy.

❤️‍🔥 What Hit Home

• Naz’s fierce protectiveness of Tyrria was emotionally gripping. His devotion felt earned, not just instinctual.
• The queben concept — a mating drive that overrides logic — added tension and urgency without veering into cliché.
• The gladiator moon setting was brutal and immersive. Watching the characters learn the terrain and plot their escape added layers of suspense and strategy.

🤨 Room to Grow

• I genuinely loved this story, but the ending felt rushed. While I understand the series is interconnected, I craved a more satisfying emotional payoff for Tyrria and Naz. A few more chapters of resolution or even a glimpse into their future would’ve elevated the impact.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Dual narration brought this story to life. Marcio Catalano’s voice is a velvet blade — deep, smooth, and deadly when needed. His character work made Naz feel both ancient and emotionally raw. Aubrey Vincent was pitch-perfect for Tyrria: intelligent, emotionally expressive, and age-appropriate. Her delivery captured Tyrria’s strength and vulnerability in equal measure. Together, they created a sonic chemistry that mirrored the characters’ bond.

📝 Final Thoughts

This audiobook is a fierce, fast-paced blend of sci-fi grit and romantic intensity. Tyrria and Naz are two souls forged in fire, and their connection is as primal as it is poignant. If you love high-stakes romance with a splash of intergalactic rebellion, this one’s worth the listen. Just be prepared to want more — because once it ends, you’ll be itching for the next escape.

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