Protector: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance by Tana Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Vandar raiders who roam the sky are deadly and fierce. The mercenary hunting me is terrifying–and will stop at nothing to claim me.

I thought the cocky Vandar raiders I had to work alongside were my biggest problem. That was before the deranged leader of a ruthless band of mercenaries decided I belonged to him.

As a member of the underground Valox resistance, there are few things I fear. The terrifying alien outlaw who’s obsessed with me is one of them.

But now my biggest problem isn’t the alien searching for me, it’s the Vandar battle chief assigned to take me to safety. To say that Kaiven and I don’t get along would be an understatement. The Vandar might be huge and ripped, but he’s also arrogant and expects me to obey him.

At least I know that nothing will happen between us as he secrets me to the Valox base—unless it’s possible for us to annoy each other to death. Then the mercenaries find us and take us both captive. Can Kaiven save me from the alien outlaw who’s determined to make me his queen? Or will his promise to protect me destroy us both?

Guarding the Girl He Can’t Stand

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

🎧 Audiobook Review: Protector (Raider Warlords of the Vandar, #9)

Author: Tana Stone
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Marcio Catalano and Chloe Ryan

📚 Characters & Background

Thea is a talented mechanic and a dedicated member of the Valox resistance, a woman forged in tragedy and sharpened by purpose. After losing her entire family in a devastating imperial bombing, she channels her grief into relentless determination to dismantle the Zagrath Empire once and for all. Humans and Vandar alike believed the Zagrath were defeated, only to discover that many had merely retreated, regrouping in the shadows and preparing for a renewed assault.

During a mission with her two closest friends, Thea’s ship crash-lands on a remote planet, where they’re captured by outlaw mercenaries. Their ruthless blue-skinned leader, Mansen, immediately lays claim to Thea, seeing her as a prize to possess. Though she and her friends manage to escape, Mansen’s obsession doesn’t fade—he remains fixated on reclaiming her, no matter the cost.

Kaiven, a Vandar battle chief, carries his own scars. Raised by a cruel father, he learned early that loyalty and brotherhood were the only forms of family he could trust. As a Kyrie Vandar—the son of an exiled rebel—he grew up on the fringes of his people, and returning to the Vandar fold has given him a sense of belonging he never expected.

But Kaiven has his prejudices. He doesn’t understand why Raas Ronan and Raas Ayden chose human mates, and he certainly doesn’t think humans should be fighting alongside Vandar raiders. Thea, in particular, grates on him—too independent, too defiant, too unwilling to bow to authority. In his mind, if she were his female, he’d teach her the respect he believes she lacks.

When word spreads that Mansen is still hunting Thea, the Raas assigns Kaiven to protect her. What begins as a duty quickly becomes something far more complicated, especially when the fire between them burns hotter than either expects.

🌟 Strengths

• A fierce, emotionally layered heroine: Thea’s blend of bravery, trauma, and stubborn resilience makes her compelling. She doesn’t just face danger—she charges into it, driven by grief and a need for justice.
• A delicious enemies-to-lovers dynamic: The tension between Thea and Kaiven is sharp, messy, and deeply satisfying. Her disdain for his arrogance and his rigid views about humans and women creates a friction that sparks beautifully on the page.
• Solid world-building continuity: The story expands the ongoing conflict with the Zagrath and deepens the interconnected relationships between the Vandar hordes and their human allies.

💔 Limitations

• A repetitive danger cycle: The plot occasionally feels like it’s looping—Thea is captured or nearly captured, then rescued, only for the threat to resurface again. The back-and-forth tension works at first but becomes a bit predictable over time.
• Not the strongest entry in the series: While still engaging, this installment doesn’t hit quite as hard emotionally or romantically as some of the previous books.

🎙️ Narration

The dual POV duet narration by Marcio Catalano and Chloe Ryan elevates the story.

• Catalano’s smooth, grounded delivery brings Kaiven’s intensity and internal conflict to life without ever sounding forced.
• Ryan’s soft yet expressive voice captures Thea’s strength, vulnerability, and determination with clarity and warmth.

Their performances complement each other beautifully, making the shifting perspectives easy to follow and emotionally resonant.

💬 Final Assessment

This installment delivers a satisfying blend of action, tension, and slow-burn attraction, anchored by a heroine who refuses to break and a hero who must confront his own biases to earn her trust. While the plot’s repetitive danger beats keep it from being the standout of the series, the character chemistry, emotional undercurrents, and strong narration make it a worthwhile addition to the Vandar universe. Fans of enemies-to-lovers dynamics and fierce, capable heroines will find plenty to enjoy, even if this isn’t the series’ most powerful entry.

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