Tribute to the Alien Warlord

Warlords of Thyre, Book 1

De: Bella Blair

Narrado por: Jen Jayden, Ross Pendleton

She was given to me as a tribute, but soon she becomes the master of my heart.

ALAHNA: Many generations ago, humans fled Earth and sought refuge on the planet Thyre, a world ruled by formidable warlords. In exchange for protection and the right to inhabit Thyre's lands, each year our outposts pay tribute to the warlords. This year, we fall short on our tythes, and the village mayor decides to pay the missing taxes in the form of four women. I'm chosen to be part of the tribute given to Brogan, the Warlord of Grymburg. I don't know what awaits me, but I wasn't prepared for the warlord to take my breath away and claim me.

BROGAN: The humans, a tolerated species on Thyre, have many uses, but by far their greatest asset is their talent to breed horses.

When it's time to collect this season's tribute, I'm dismayed they use human kallinies to pay their debts instead of horses. At least until my eyes land on HER. The most delectable kallini I have ever seen who soon heats my cold heart. Before I know it, she brings pets into our home. Our bliss, however, is threatened by the arrival of more humans from Terra, seeking to take what is MINE. A bloody war seems inevitable.

Contains mature themes.

©2023 Bella Blair (P)2024 Tantor

Medieval Vibes, Space Origins, and One Very Protective Horse

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

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Alahna

A fierce horse trainer and the only rider capable of taming the black stallion that catches a warlord’s eye, Alahna lives among the human settlers on Thyre—a planet once offered refuge from Earth’s corruption. Her strength isn’t just physical; it’s in her quiet defiance, her bond with the beasts she’s raised, and the way she holds her ground when offered as tribute. She’s not a damsel. She’s the reason the stallion bows to no one else.

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🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Brogan

Warlord of the region and reluctant host of the annual tithe ceremony, Brogan is all grit and command—until a missing forty horses and one unruly stallion throw the day off course. His fascination with the stallion leads him straight to Alahna, and despite his cynicism about the tribute of four women, he’s not immune to her presence. Smart, strategic, and surprisingly thoughtful, Brogan’s alpha energy is tempered by curiosity and restraint.

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🔥 Plot Snapshot

When the settlement falls short on their horse tithe due to a Udron raid, Brogan demands answers. The leaders offer four women as temporary appeasement—a move he sees through instantly. But Alahna isn’t just another mouth to feed. She’s the trainer behind the stallion he covets, and her quiet strength shifts the power dynamic. As tensions rise between warlords, settlers, and Udron raiders, Alahna and Brogan find themselves entangled in a conflict that’s as political as it is personal.

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❤️‍🔥 What Worked

• Alahna’s competence is front and center. She’s not just strong—she’s skilled, respected by the animals she trains, and emotionally grounded.
• The black stallion’s loyalty to her adds a layer of emotional depth and symbolism.
• Brogan’s immediate interest in Alahna feels earned, and their early kiss sets the tone for a romance that simmers beneath the surface.
• The backstory of Earth’s downfall and the settlers’ medieval lifestyle on Thyre adds intrigue and raises compelling questions about survival, adaptation, and power.

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🤨 Room for More

• The premise had promise, but the execution felt like a shadow of Zoey Draven’s Horde Kings of Dakkar series. The emotional stakes and world-building didn’t quite reach the same heights.
• Some plot beats felt familiar, and the pacing could’ve used more tension and unpredictability.

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🎧 Narration Vibes

Narrated in dual POVs by Jenn Jayden and Ross Pendleton.

• Jenn Jayden’s voice felt mismatched for Alahna—unexpectedly aged and distracting, especially given the character’s youth and vitality.
• Ross Pendleton’s delivery was fine, but lacked the deep, commanding tone that Brogan’s character demands. For a warlord, you want gravel and gravitas—not just “decent.”

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📝 Final Thoughts

A heroine worth rooting for, a warlord with unexpected depth, and a stallion that steals the show. While the story doesn’t quite break new ground, it offers enough grit, romance, and rebellion to keep you listening—if you can get past the narration.