Deceived by the Alien Devil

Brides of the Vinduthi, Book 5

De: Ava York

Narrado por: Oliver Highpoint, Mia Madison

In a world shrouded in darkness and betrayal, I'm caught in a dangerous deception.

As a pawn in the cunning game of the Vinduthi Syndicate, I strike a perilous bargain to secure my freedom. Bound by an agreement to deliver messages to an imprisoned member, I step into the role of his advocate, a role that threatens to blur the lines between truth and deception.

In this dangerous dance of manipulation and hidden motives, a connection sparks between us that defies logic. I know deep down that it's all a charade, a means to an end. He seeks his escape, and I crave liberation from my contract.

Yet, amidst the tangled threads of our alliance, doubts seep into my mind. Is he using me as a pawn, a mere tool in his grand scheme? Or am I deceiving myself, trapped in a web of my own illusions?

As the lines between reality and fiction blur, I question my every move, my every motive. Trust becomes a precious commodity, and betrayal lurks around every corner.

Can love blossom amidst the shadows of deception, or will it crumble under the weight of our tangled truths?

Contains mature themes.

©2023 Ava York (P)2024 Tantor

Danger, Desire, and Death Gate

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

🎧 Audiobook Review: Deceived by the alien Devil (Brides of the Vinduthi, #5)

Author: Ava York
Genre: Science Fiction Romance / Alien Romance
Narrators: Mia Madison and Oliver Highpoint

📚 Characters & Background

Payton has spent years surviving the casino floors of Thodos III, working as a server under the watchful—and often morally flexible—eye of Tessi, who manages the Vinduthi “Fangs” cartel’s gaming empire. Payton hates the manipulative tasks she’s forced into, especially charming high rollers into losing streaks, but she knows the truth of her world: whoever owns her contract owns her. And being a bottle girl is still safer than many of the alternatives.

That fragile stability shatters when a high roller puts his hands on her and she fights back. Instead of punishment, Tessi sends her on a far more dangerous assignment—one that could either free her forever or get her killed. Her new mission takes her to Death Gate, an asteroid prison notorious for brutality, gangs, and the vacuum of space waiting just beyond its walls. Her task: act as the secret point of contact between the Vinduthi family and their imprisoned hacker, Havek.

Havek is a legend within the syndicate—brilliant, fast-thinking, and capable of bending entire systems to his will. But he’s been framed for a massacre he didn’t commit, and now he’s trapped inside Death Gate, where survival depends on reputation, alliances, and understanding the unspoken rules that govern inmate life. When the Vipers—the prison’s most powerful gang—offer him a place at the bottom of their hierarchy, Havek knows he must make a bold impression if he wants any chance of escape.

Payton and Havek’s paths collide in a high-stakes environment where one wrong move could expose them both. Their partnership is dangerous, their chemistry undeniable, and their shared goal—freedom—might cost them everything.

🌟 Strengths

• Prison romance is one of my favorite subgenres, and this story delivers exactly what I love: a hero who is strong, capable, and fully able to protect himself in a brutal environment.
• Both main characters shine, but Havek’s intelligence is especially compelling—his mind works faster than everyone around him, and watching him strategize is half the fun.
• The escape plot is clever, tense, and satisfying. The pacing is quick, the action is constant, and the blend of sci‑fi adventure with spicy alien romance hits all the right notes.

💔 Limitations

• The romance—and the story overall—feels a bit rushed. The fast pace works beautifully for the action scenes, but the emotional arc could have used more depth and breathing room.
• This seems to be a pattern across the series: the books are short (150–165 pages, under 5 hours on audio), and while they’re fun, they could be great with more development. A longer format—closer to 250 pages or a 6‑hour audiobook—would allow the relationships and worldbuilding to truly flourish.

🎙️ Narration

The dual POV structure is enhanced by the dual narration from Oliver Highpoint and Mia Madison. Oliver’s warm baritone adds gravitas to Havek’s chapters, while Mia’s youthful, expressive tone brings Payton’s vulnerability and determination to life. Together, they elevate the story and make the emotional beats land more effectively than they might have on the page alone.

💬 Final Assessment

This audiobook is a fast, entertaining blend of prison grit, sci‑fi danger, and sizzling romance. While the love story could benefit from more depth and page time, the characters are engaging, the action is nonstop, and the narration adds a polished, immersive layer. If you enjoy high‑stakes alien romance with clever heroes, daring escapes, and a heroine fighting for her freedom, this installment is a fun, adrenaline‑charged ride that’s easy to devour in a single sitting.