I’m at an alien auction.
Obsidian
But I’m the one being sold.
When I woke up and took in my surroundings, I knew I was in deep trouble. From the way the aliens eyed me, to the silks draped on everything, including me, it wasn’t hard to believe I was in a brothel. What I didn’t count on was it being upscale.
Apparently, there is a high demand for entertainment across the galaxies and humans are rare. I would think that’s a good thing, but it’s not. As the bidding price goes higher and higher, so does my anxiety levels. Who knows what my buyer is going to expect from me, but I can guarantee it’s nothing I’d do willingly.
Until I meet Castien.
Not only does he save me, but he promises to reunite me with my friends. The only problem is that he makes no apology as he tries to seduce me. Now, all the things required of me at the brothel are coming to the forefront of my mind and it’s not hard to play the part as his lover.
I just need to make sure that I’m still acting by the time we part ways or I’ll belong to him. And the currency in which he buys me with won’t be money this time. It will be my heart.
An Alien Commander Meets His Match
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛❤️🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😍😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Main Characters and Plot Overview
Jade’s story starts in a genuinely frightening situation. After being abducted from Earth, she wakes up on the alien planet Lixis, where humans are rare commodities and she is about to be sold at an auction. Jade is already struggling with the feeling that she has little control over her own life, and the prospect of being purchased by someone who might treat her as property makes everything worse. Enter Castien, the commander of the Darkbloods, an intimidating alien warrior who has been sent to rescue her and bring her back to her friends.
Castien is powerful, dangerously attractive, and very aware of both facts. He has practically resigned himself to never finding his fated mate, so he approaches his mission expecting to rescue Jade and move on. Instead, he discovers that she is the woman who can unlock his full potential. Unfortunately, rescuing her doesn’t mean their troubles are over. After a dangerous turn of events at the auction, they end up on the run, pursued by people who want to capture or kill them. Their journey becomes a struggle to survive while figuring out what they mean to each other.
What I enjoyed most was watching Jade gradually stop seeing herself as someone who always needs rescuing. Castien recognizes strengths in her that she has trouble recognizing in herself, but she has to learn to trust those strengths, too. Their relationship develops amid danger, jealousy, misunderstandings, and some very steamy encounters. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for either of them to pretend their connection is simply temporary.
Highlights and Limitations
The combination of alien adventure, fated mates, humor, and high heat worked well for me. The auction is an effective opening because Jade’s fear is immediate and understandable, and Castien’s arrival changes the situation without magically making every danger disappear. The pursuit across Lixis keeps the couple moving, and the threat of being caught gives their growing attraction a sense of urgency.
Castien was entertaining because his confidence borders on ridiculous at times. He’s accustomed to being desired, but finding Jade forces him to confront a different kind of connection. I liked seeing the cocky commander become genuinely invested in one woman rather than simply relying on his looks and authority. His willingness to help Jade recognize her own courage gives their relationship more substance than pure physical attraction.
Jade’s development was another highlight. Her determination to prove she can look after herself sometimes gets her into trouble, including when she pushes herself physically rather than accepting Castien’s help. I had mixed feelings about those moments. I understand why she wants independence after being placed in such a vulnerable position, but I occasionally wished she would recognize that accepting help doesn’t make her weak. Still, that stubbornness makes her eventual growth more meaningful.
The transformation that follows their mating, including Jade gaining powers of her own, adds an interesting supernatural element to the science-fiction setting. I also enjoyed the banter and the contrast between Castien’s formidable warrior persona and the more ridiculous thoughts and reactions that emerge around Jade.
My main reservation is that some of their jealousy and relationship drama felt unnecessarily prolonged when they already had plenty of external danger to deal with. Jade’s insecurities and Castien’s ego can both be frustrating, and I would have liked a little more time devoted to resolving those issues through honest communication. The explicit romance is a major part of the book, so readers looking for a more plot-heavy science-fiction adventure may find the balance too steamy.
Narration
Dash Coleman and Jenny Watson bring the audiobook to life with dual narration. Coleman is a good fit for Castien’s confident, commanding personality, particularly the contrast between his intimidating warrior presence and his reactions to Jade. Watson brings Jade’s vulnerability and determination to the forefront, helping her feel like more than a frightened woman waiting for someone else to solve her problems.
The alternating perspectives suit a romance in which both characters have emotional hurdles to overcome. Their different voices help distinguish the characters and keep the dialogue easy to follow during the action and more intimate scenes. At approximately four and a half hours, the audiobook also makes for a relatively quick listen. I found the pairing well suited to the story’s blend of danger, humor, and heat.
Final Thoughts
Obsidian was an entertaining addition to the Elemental Mates series, and I especially enjoyed the way Jade and Castien challenge each other. Castien may be the powerful alien commander, but he can’t simply charm his way through every problem. Jade, meanwhile, has to discover that she can be frightened and still be brave.
I would have preferred a little less jealousy and a little more emotional communication, but the action, playful banter, fated-mate connection, and steamy romance kept me invested. The fact that Jade eventually develops powers of her own also made her journey feel more rewarding than a straightforward rescue story.
If you enjoy possessive alien warriors, heroines who grow into their confidence, dangerous interplanetary adventures, and plenty of explicit romance, this one is worth adding to your list. Castien and Jade make a lively couple, and their journey left me interested in continuing the series.
