Prodigal by Tana Stone

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark. Deadly. Vengeful. The terrifying Vandar raiders with their menacing warbirds, lethal battle axes, and slashing tails are back—and they’re on the hunt for revenge.

Life as a female fighter pilot with the Valox resistance isn’t always easy, but it gets much worse when my ship dies on a solo mission. It gets even worse when I’m rescued by hulking, bare-chested aliens who are nothing like the Vandar I fought with against the empire. The Vandar horde that snatches me from my ship might wear the battle kilts and inked skin of their counterparts, but they have no intention of treating me like an ally—or releasing me.

With platinum hair and dark hearts set on dominance and retribution, the raiders who capture me are what they call Kyrie Vandar—the Lost Vandar—raiders whose ancestors were exiled from the galaxy. Now, they’ve returned to exact revenge on the Vandar who rejected them.

The horde’s warlord, Raas Ronnan, is certain that a female pilot who fought alongside the Vandar is the perfect pawn to lure them into a trap. He’s also convinced that forcing me to share his quarters and bed will provoke my cooperation. But the fearsome warlord has underestimated me and my ability to be coerced—or seduced.

I’m determined to escape, even as the Vandar brute eyes me like tempting prey. But can I slip from Ronnan’s velvet snare the more I learn about him and his adrift horde? Or will I end up becoming just as lost as the tortured Vandar warlord who stirs the depths of my soul?

A War Reignited—and This Is Only the Beginning

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

🎧 Audiobook Review: Prodigal (Raider Warlords of the Vandar, #7)

Author: Tana Stone
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Marcio Catalano and Aubrey Vincent

📚 Characters & Background

Raas Ronan, warlord of the Kyrie Vandar, commands a star‑spanning horde descended from exiles who were cast out generations ago after their fathers rebelled against the Vandar leadership. Now that the Zagrath have been defeated, Ronan is determined to reclaim the legacy stolen from his bloodline. His mission is equal parts destiny, vengeance, and the fierce pride of a people who have survived on the fringes for far too long.

Sloane, a human fighter pilot hardened by years of war, refuses to believe the Zagrath are truly gone. After losing her boyfriend in the conflict, she’s driven by grief, suspicion, and a relentless need for answers. Her solo search ends abruptly when her battered ship gives out—leaving her vulnerable just as Ronan and his warriors cross her path.

When Sloane reveals her resistance is allied with the Vandar, Ronan sees an opportunity to use her against his enemies. But the more time they spend together, the more strategy gives way to something far more personal.

🌟 Strengths

• Two compelling leads. Ronan and Sloane are both strong, layered characters whose motivations feel grounded and believable. Their dynamic has tension, heat, and just the right amount of stubbornness on both sides.
• Cultural depth. The Kyrie Vandar’s mixed heritage adds nuance to their worldview. Their desire to reclaim Vandar mates for the sake of their future children creates an intriguing internal conflict—especially when Ronan finds himself drawn to Sloane despite his insistence that their connection will be temporary. Watching the “casual sex only” warlord start to fall is deliciously satisfying.
• Engaging action. The story shines during its high‑stakes moments, particularly when the Kyrie Vandar finally encounter another Vandar horde. The tension, uncertainty, and cultural friction make that sequence a standout.

💔 Limitations

• Enemy POV chapters. While the Zagrath perspective offers strategic insight, it disrupts the narrative flow and could have been conveyed more organically through the main characters’ experiences.
• Cliffhanger ending. The abrupt finish may frustrate readers who prefer more closure, especially after such a strong buildup.

🎙️ Narration

The duet narration by Marcio Catalano and Aubrey Vincent enhances the story’s emotional texture. Catalano’s smooth, natural delivery brings Ronan’s authority and quiet intensity to life, while Vincent’s expressive, emotive performance captures Sloane’s strength, vulnerability, and determination. Their voices complement each other beautifully, making the shifting perspectives easy to follow and deeply engaging.

💬 Final Assessment

This audiobook blends action, romance, and interstellar politics into a fast‑paced, emotionally charged experience. Ronan and Sloane’s chemistry is compelling from the start, and the world‑building around the Kyrie Vandar adds richness without slowing the pace. While the enemy POV chapters and cliffhanger may not land for every listener, the strong character work and excellent narration more than make up for it. Fans of sci‑fi romance with fierce heroines, morally complex heroes, and high‑stakes tension will find this installment both satisfying and addictive—and it sets the stage for an even more explosive continuation.

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