Surrender

Brides for the Houses of Fate Series 2

De: Miranda Bridges

Narrado por: Oliver Highpoint, Mia Madison

She brought me back from the brink of death, only to become my life . . .

The woman is my only connection to what lies beyond this cell. I need her to learn what happened to: My House. My brethren. My brother.

Then I find myself wanting her for other things. Things that have nothing to do with freedom. And everything to do with the female.

Her tender smile warming me. Her gentle touch soothing me. Her passionate kiss igniting me. All of these threaten to ruin my plans.

But does the future matter if she's not by my side? Will I be forced to leave her behind?

Not if the goddess of fate is real. So I pray.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Miranda Bridges (P)2024 Tantor

Much better than first book.

I belive the author was trying to honor the quidich games, or at least I hope, but it could have been better.
Might have made more sense it this was the 1st book.

The love story is ok, and it is entertaining.

From Captivity to Connection: Rixan & Denali

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

🎧 Audiobook Review: Surrender (Brides for the House of Fate, #2)

Author: Miranda Bridges
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Narrators: Mia Madison and Oliver Highpoint

🌌 Story & Characters

The previous installment, Sacrifice, left readers on edge with Ember and Rylen’s story unresolved and no HEA in sight. Yet it also revealed a shocking twist: Rylen’s brother, Rixan, was still alive. For two long years, Rylen believed Rixan had been killed during the Tolgen invasion, when the four Houses of Fate united against their common enemy, the Atori. Captured males were forced into brutal arena battles for the Tulgen’s amusement, and Rylen’s grief hardened into a vow for justice — both against the Atori and the Silas traitor who enabled the invasion.

Rylen and Rixan belong to the Morja race — golden-winged, griffin-like beings with tails, claws, and furred legs. Their physicality is striking, but it’s their bond as brothers that anchors the emotional core of this book.

When Rixan is left for dead after a vicious attack, he awakens to find Denali, a human woman kidnapped from Earth and given to the Atori as tribute. Forced into servitude, Denali works in the kitchens and tends to Rixan’s wounds. A former high school biology teacher, she is both scientifically fascinated and emotionally captivated by him. Unlike other Morja she has encountered, Rixan stirs something deeper — a mix of curiosity, attraction, and awe.

The romance between Rixan and Denali unfolds against a backdrop of danger and betrayal, but it never loses its emotional resonance. Their connection feels both tender and inevitable, balancing the alien allure of the Morja with Denali’s human vulnerability.

💖 Highlights

• The reunion of Rixan and Rylen is deeply satisfying, adding weight to the brotherhood theme.
• Denali’s perspective as a teacher adds a unique lens to her fascination with Rixan’s physiology and culture.
• The romance is heartfelt, layered with both longing and discovery.
• Denali’s frustration over Yesenia’s fate introduces tension, though readers are reassured knowing Yesenia’s story will continue in the next book.

🎙️ Narration

Told in dual POV, the audiobook benefits from dual narration by Oliver Highpoint and Mia Madison.

• Mia Madison’s voice is warm, emotive, and perfectly suited for Denali’s vulnerability and strength.
• Oliver Highpoint’s deep, slightly formal delivery enhances the gravitas of alien male heroes, making Rixan’s presence feel commanding.

Together, they elevate the story, ensuring each perspective feels distinct and immersive.

💬 Final Thoughts

This installment blends action, romance, and emotional stakes into a compelling listen. While a few character reactions (like Ember’s response to Yesenia’s situation) felt slightly uneven, the overall narrative was gripping. The reunion of brothers, the blossoming romance, and the strong narration make this audiobook both exciting and emotionally rewarding.

Expected and wanted and annoyed

This book is really what I expected - the ending of book 1. You could technically skip this but you would miss out on learning about the women from the kitchen and the action at the end that changes their situation.

I wanted this progress in the story so I was happy to have it. What annoyed me was the lack of character development for the main female character. Her background was interesting and oppressive but hardly seems to matter as the story unfolds. Just a few more chapters spent on character development would have gone a long way to keeping these women, in particula, all unique and important with their impacts on the world they've been forced into.

As for the narration, I think the sound was off in this recording as it seems too low regardless of which speakers I used or trying to equalize it. Also I thought Mia Madison made some odd choices in narration at times so it felt disjointed.

I'm going to skip the next book, but will likely listen to book 3 as I want Garrick's sleazy story!