Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a universe full of heartless aliens, an abandoned human and a vampire clone discover an unexpected connection in this delightfully bite-size short story by New York Times bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?

Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire is part of Scared Sexy, a deliciously dark collection of Halloween romance where things that go bump in the night might just steal your heart. These seductive stand-alone stories blend chills and heat in the perfect Halloween treat—each designed to be devoured in one sitting.

Vampire Clone Chaos

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

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Space Vampire (Scared Sexy Collection)

Author: Ruby Dixon
Genre: Science Fiction/Paranormal Romance Novella
Narrator: Beth Roag and Ryan West

Characters and Plot

Vlad and Dana make for an unexpectedly compelling pair in this novella. Superior Stables Lab Station sets out to engineer the perfect gladiator clone—one with rapid healing, enhanced strength, speed, and agility. What they get instead is Vlad: a vampire clone who checks all the boxes for combat efficiency but also comes with the inconvenient biological requirements of light sensitivity and a need for blood. Not exactly ideal for the arena, but definitely intriguing.

When the scientists attempt further modifications, Vlad seizes his chance and escapes. Dana, meanwhile, is hiding in the laundry chutes, trying to avoid the unwanted attention of the Mesakkah scientist who keeps her as a pet. She’s used to slipping into the shadows, but when the alarms blare and then abruptly fall silent, she realizes something far more dangerous is loose on the station.

Emerging from her hiding place, Dana discovers the lab has been completely abandoned—the scientists fled in escape pods, leaving her behind with the very creature that terrified them. When she finally encounters Vlad, she doesn’t immediately realize he’s the escaped experiment. But once she does, she makes a pragmatic choice: if he scared off her captors, he might just be the ally she needs. Their uneasy alliance quickly becomes something deeper, fueled by survival, chemistry, and the kind of intense proximity only a deserted space station can provide.

Highlights

• This novella hits the sweet spot for readers who love both vampire romance and alien romance. The mash‑up is fresh, fun, and surprisingly sexy. A vampire clone who terrifies alien scientists yet promises not to kill the heroine? That’s a hero archetype I will always show up for.
• The romance is equal parts tender and steamy. While the novella format leans into insta‑love, it feels more like insta‑lust with the emotional connection building as the story progresses. The pacing works for the genre and the stakes.

Low Points

• The concept is so strong—and the characters so engaging—that the novella length feels limiting. This world begs for a full‑length novel, or even a series arc, especially given Ruby Dixon’s history of exploring clone‑centric storylines. A vampire clone deserves more page time, and I would happily follow Vlad and Dana through a longer adventure.

Narration

The dual‑POV structure is well supported by the dual narration from Beth Roag and Ryan West. Ryan West’s deep, natural delivery fits Vlad perfectly—smooth, grounded, and immersive. Beth Roag brings clarity and emotional nuance to Dana’s chapters, her expressive tone adding warmth and vulnerability. Together, they elevate the story and make the listening experience engaging from start to finish.

Final Assessment

This novella is a fast, satisfying blend of sci‑fi, paranormal flair, and high‑heat romance. While the story leaves you wishing for a longer exploration of its world and characters, what is here is inventive, sexy, and emotionally engaging. If you enjoy unconventional heroes, forced proximity in space, and a heroine who finds her strength in the unlikeliest of alliances, this audiobook is absolutely worth the listen.

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