AvX

Darverius, House of DaR, Book 8

By: Jennifer Julie Miller

Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith, Tor Thom

Ivy

Why are the last words ever spoken to our loved ones in anger? I knew the moment I left it was a mistake, but my stubborn pride urged me forward. I've awakened to unimaginable horrors, pain unlike anything the human mind could conceive, until him. Now, I'm too scared to trust my own feelings, as they have only led me astray. I push his kindness away, striking out in a rage of harsh words and unwarranted anger. As this new future is revealed to me, I crumble away inside, slowly and insidiously. How much more do I have to lose before I realize my sole chance of happiness is standing in front of me?

AvX

She is like a wild animal, cornered and frightened, unwilling to accept any sort of kindness. A fiery soul trapped inside a mind littered with insecurities and heartache. I ache for a kind word or a gentle touch as my body reacts to her slightest touches. How do I convince her to put aside the pain she has endured and take a chance on the unknown, on me? The fates put her in my path for a reason, and I will find a way to tame the fire that consumes her.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Jennifer Julie Miller (P)2025 Tantor Media

Never disappoints

I have loved this series from book one! Jennifer Julie Miller, what a fantastic universe you have created! I enjoy all the characters but Sage is still my favorite! Can’t wait for the next book to be on audio because I LOVE TOR THOM. I actually wait for the audio because Tor brings every character to life! Your voice is the bomb!

s

🛸 AvX: A Fiery, 4-Star Sci-Fi Romance with Stellar Performances!

Jennifer Julie Miller keeps the House of DaR series firing on all cylinders with the eighth book, AvX. This installment was an unexpected delight, blending raw emotional healing with some truly magnificent world-building elements that I didn't see coming. It’s a story about breaking down walls, overcoming past trauma, and finding light in the darkest of places! 🛸🌌✨

🌌 The Stubborn Pride and the Fiery Soul
Why are the last words we speak to our loved ones so often filled with anger? I knew the moment I left it was a mistake, but my own stubborn pride pushed me into a nightmare. I woke up to horrors and pain that the human mind simply wasn't built to conceive, and I became too terrified to trust even my own feelings. Now, I find myself striking out at the only person offering me kindness, lashing out in a rage of harsh words while I slowly crumble inside. How much more do I have to lose before I realize that my only true chance at happiness is standing right in front of me? 💔🥀

I am AvX. She is exactly like a wild, cornered animal—frightened, reactive, and completely unwilling to accept a single gesture of kindness. She is a fiery soul trapped in a mind cluttered with heartache and insecurity. My body reacts to her slightest touch, and I ache for nothing more than a gentle moment between us. How do I convince her to set aside the agonizing pain she has endured and take a leap of faith on the unknown—and on me? The fates put her in my path for a reason, and I am going to find a way to tame the fire that consumes her. 🛡️👽👑

🛸 Why Ivy and AvX’s Journey Sparked Joy:
The "Smurf" Connection: I have to admit, it was absolutely adorable that Ivy viewed AvX as her own personal "Smurf"—it added such a lighthearted, humanizing touch to their dynamic in the midst of so much trauma! 💙😂

Magnificent Companions: The beautiful bird that protects Ivy was truly magnificent, and seeing ANDi return and shine was a total highlight. These companions added such a rich, magical layer to the story. 🐦✨

High-Stakes Loyalty: Watching Sage endanger her own life and system to help was incredibly moving. It’s these bonds—between AIs, aliens, and humans—that make this series so special. Plus, having so many new secrets revealed kept me fully engaged! 🤖📉

🎧 Audio Performance Review
The Narrators: Emily Sutton-Smith & Tor Thom 🎙️🏆

A 5-Star Vocal Triumph! Once again, Emily Sutton-Smith and Tor Thom elevate the material to new heights. Even when the story takes us into some very dark, painful territory for Ivy, their performances remain consistently brilliant and deeply immersive. 🌟👑

Emily Sutton-Smith perfectly captures Ivy’s volatile, defensive nature—you can feel the fear behind her harsh words and her reluctance to be vulnerable. Tor Thom is, as always, the perfect AvX. He brings a wonderful, patient, and deeply longing quality to his voice that balances out the intensity of the sci-fi setting. Their rhythm together is just seamless, making this a fantastic, active listen that easily kept me glued to the story from start to finish! 🎧🔥

My Final Verdict
AvX earns a strong 4-star rating for the story and a glittering 5 stars for the narration! It is an entertaining, imaginative, and deeply emotional chapter in the House of DaR saga that explores the resilience of the heart. Emily Sutton-Smith and Tor Thom deliver another premium performance that makes this audiobook a wonderful place to lay your head. 🛸💖

That "Smurf" comparison was definitely the highlight of the day

I just adore this entire series

The most horrific things happen to the heroines in these stories, but they always come up swinging. To go from the horrors they have experienced and witness to one of these heroic aliens who have been taught the value of family just gets me. The affection that the Patriarch DaR has for his sons is simply heartwarming. His mate Kyra who is now the matriarch is the perfect mama bear to this family. AvX is no exception. I love how the characters from earlier books make appearances and very much have roles in their siblings' lives. The absolutely adorable Keeda is the icing on the cake. It's the comical, all seeing, will constantly surprise you first born baby girl (Princess basically to all her Uncles and Daddy who are wrapped around her finger) that keeps me wanting to listen to see what that child is up to next. Though you can listen to this as a solo book. The storyline is easy to follow and each couple ahs their own story and journey, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning to get the full effect. I cannot wait for the next book, This is a no-brainer buy series for me. Tor Thom is amazing. I love his narrations, but I do not think anyone else can read the various of characters like Emily Sutton-Smith can. On top of the slight southern draw she gives to Kyra to the robotic AI voice of the computer programs that helps to run the space ships and the housestead (Yes, even the computer systems have speaking parts.)- she does an outstanding job. I do not think I could listen to anyone else narrating this series, but these 2 narrators.

The Smurf takes over

What I liked was that the guy was blue and he can read emotion, but that doesn’t help you with much in the market area.

Love it so far

I definitely wanted more but it did ok. I felt like it was way too short.