Cover Image: Skinwalker

Skinwalker

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Member Reviews

Okay, I have previously read the first two books in this series, and I found them quite good, the smut was pretty good, and the premise of the story was interesting. I did have some issues with book two, but was willing to look past it and move on to book three - which is this one.

However, I don't know what happened, but I just didn't enjoy this one very much. There were some glimmers of enjoyment here and there, but overall all the characters started to blend together. I found the treatment of Nikki's friends towards the end of the book somewhat... problematic, and unfortunately I just found like I couldn't believe in the insta-love in this case. There was also this really weird section towards the end that made me think the author got their wires crossed about how families work (ie. the author indicated that someone was a niece to the main character when actually they would be her cousin... it was confusing.), which just added to my overall ambivalence on this one.

I may still try the author's other works, but this one was just kind of... blah.

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Skinwalker (Shadowborn Rebellion #3). By Cyndi Friberg. 2020. Anything-but-Ordinary Books (ARC eBook).

Nikki and two of her friends find themselves abducted from Earth and held captive by aliens who experiment on them. When they are rescued by Sarronti rebels Jaron and Ayron and taken to Sarronti Prime for medical treatment, Nikki isn’t sure if she can trust the two men and the third, Velmar, who was also broken out of the prison. But as her worry for her friends’ deteriorating health she finds herself drawn to Jaron and his reassurances of healing and returning her and her friends to Earth.

Jaron has used his skinwalker abilities to stealthily aid the Rebellion. But his latest mission to rescue rebel ally, Velmar, has also put a beautiful and stubborn human female in his path. Feeling Nikki isn’t being completely honest with him, Jaron is not sure how much he can reveal to her about the rebellion and his species and planet. But hopefully the two can have a happily ever after because he’s pretty sure she is his soulmate.

Skinwalker pretty much picks up where Sentinel leaves off with a group of Sarronti rebels planning to rescue Velmar. Each have special abilities they utilize for contract work and the rebellion. And their unique and attractive looks have not made it a hardship for wooing the human females fated to be their mates.

This was the second book I’ve read by Friberg and the Shadowborn Rebellion series and overall I find the worldbuilding of political machinations and magic powers interesting. Jaron and Nikki’s romance was more lacking in chemistry than I thought Sentinel had. Skinwalker has a bit of spywork and action that seems to have taken out one immediate threat. But there are other agendas in play and an unattached Velmar to continue the series.

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Oh was this book good!! The heat between the H/h was so hot it jumped of the pages and smacked in the face!

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another enjoyable read in the series that nicely balances the book plot/romance and the series plot. Jaron and Nikki are 2 characters that likeable & fairly well rounded and their romance well paced, can feel the chemistry grow steadily between the two without being rushed (particularly after Nikki's trauma of being kidnapped). while somethings seem to wrap up on the series plot, I'm curious and hopeful there will be more as Valmar, if no else, seems to have more story to be told.

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Nikki, along with her friends Selina and Haley, were kidnapped and forced to undergo experimentation of the genetic kind. A chance encounter, led by Jaron and Ayran, gives them the opportunity to escape, but not before realizing just how much wider the problem of their situation really is. Will the effects of the experiment last? Will the burgeoning relationship grow into it's potential? Just how does Nikki reconcile her heritage with the newfound belief of soul mates?

Note:
My first time reading Cyndi Friberg and I am happy to say that it will not be my last. Knowing that this is the third story of this particular series and that even this series is based off of others, I was expecting to be completely lost. That didn't happen! Is there some questions I have about the world and the dangers that Nikki and Jaron face - yep. But the way this story is written I could follow the drama and figure out an of the unknowns.

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I do not know what possessed me to jump mid-series into the Shadowborn Rebellion, but having not read any of the other two books in the series, I am giving my opinion solely based on this one book.

I enjoyed quite a few aspects of this book, the spin on the alien/elven characters was unique and, the worldbuilding with the Sarronti culture was vastly creative. Both the primary and secondary characters were well developed and, I may or may not have developed a mini crush on Velmar, (give me mysterious, sexy, and strong-willed men, I mean aliens, any day)!

The main characters Nikki and Jaron had great chemistry and, their romance scenes were hot and steamy AF. I am not a fan of insta-love so that aspect wasn't quite as enjoyable as watching the progression of their relationship. Based on Nikki being hurt in the past, I understand her hesitance to leap forward with a man who wants to claim her as his mate but is a notorious playboy. I appreciated her need to have her own goals and life separate from a mate.

I will say that this book is very detailed focused and, quite a lengthy story. In my opinion, a lot of attention was paid to auxiliary details like lunch dates, etc. which could have easily been glossed over. One thing that irked me was Haley and Salina, I wanted to reach into my Kindle and strangle them both for being so annoying.

I was also a bit confused about Nikki’s ability to read Velmar’s mind when this was supposed to be an ability you experienced only with your mates. But Velmar is quite an interesting and complex character and I want to read more about him, the scope of his power, and his story so I will chalk that up as a future detail to be discussed.

Overall, Skinwalker was a pleasant detour from the usual dragons and vampires and I believe there is a solid foundation for future books. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an arc of this.

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3.5 stars-- SKINWALKER is the third instalment in Cyndi Friberg’s adult SHADOWBORN REBELLION sci-fi, paranormal erotic, romance series -a spin off from the author’s Outcast series, which in turn is a spin-off from Battle born, which is a spin-off from the Shadow Assassins series ;). This is Sarronti shapeshifter Jaron, and human female Nikki Harmon’s story line. SKINWALKER can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is a continuing premise throughout, and each additional story builds upon the one before.

SOME BACKGROUND: The humanoid aliens known as Rodytes needed a home and settled on two uninhabited planets but to their shock a race of elf-like creatures, known as the Sarronti, live underground away from the light. Without any available mates, the male only Rodytes sent teams of Outcasts to kidnap or persuade human females from Earth in an attempt to repopulate and find mates for their struggling males but procreation came at a price including the need for genetically matched DNA, a mutual metamorphosis, and magical intervention. A test for compatibility is filed and there may be as many as five males matched to a single female DNA. Thirty percent of the females returned back to Earth, and the struggling males begin vying for the female’s affections. Outcasts are battle born-their mothers were Bilarrian prisoners forced to breed, with their Rodyte captors, in the hopes of restoring magic to the Rodyte people. To complicate matters, the planet they now inhabit hides a secret deep beneath the planet’s surface, an elven like being known as the Sarronti, who must live underground to avoid exposure to the sun’s damaging rays. As Sarronti slowly make their way to the surface, they will come face to face with the human females, and several will take the women as their mates.


Told from third person perspective SKINWALKER follows Nikki Harmon, and fellow human females Haley and Selina in the aftermath of their abduction from Earth, and the ongoing scientific experiments forced upon the trio, against their will but help comes from the most unexpected of sources when a ‘shapeshifting’ elf aids in the rescue, only to realize that Nikki is quite possibly his potential mate. Enter Sarronti male Jaron. What ensues is the building relationship between Nikki and Jaron, as the couple must come to terms with Nikki’s growing psychic powers, and the potential fall-out as Nikki’s captors reveal the truth about Nikki’s heritage, and our heroine discovers the truth about their original intent.


Nikki Harmon struggles between head and heart as is pertains to our story line hero. Jaron claims Nikki is his soulmate but Nikki is desperate to return to Earth, in an effort to make sense about everything that has happened. As the days and weeks pass, Nikki finds herself falling for Jaron, and is torn between staying with Jaron or returning to the only home she has ever known. Jaron knows that Nikki is the only female that calls to his heart, and as such our hero is willing to follow Nikki wherever she goes but Nikki’s psychic abilities are growing exponentially, and with her help,the Sarronti are able to stop a potential invasion and the destruction of their Sarronti homes.


The relationship between Nikki and Jaron is one of immediate attraction but Nikki is a captive in a world she knows nothing about until she meets other humans who now claim the planet as their home. Nikki is strong willed and determined, and in this, Nikki is reluctant to succumb to the attraction between her and her future mate. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text but saying that I struggled to feel any palpable connection between our leading couple. Nikki was determined to return to Earth, and if felt like Jaron was more of a puppy, following Nikki wherever she wanted to go.


There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Natalie and Salvo (Sentinel #2), Kara and Malik (Slayer #1), Velma, Ayran, as well as Haley and Selina. The requisite evil has many faces.


SKINWALKER is a story of betrayal and vengeance; power and control; discovery and love.The premise is entertaining; the romance is captivating; the characters are colorful and energetic.






GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3674629435




AMAZON. COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R24S9Y0Y81DSVQ/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8

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Skinwalker (Shadowborn Rebellion, Book 3) by Cyndi Friberg
Publisher: Anything-but-Ordinary Books
Genre: Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Release Date: November 14, 2020

Skinwalker is the third book in the Shadowborn Rebellion series by Cyndi Friberg (and is available on Kindle Unlimited!). I had not previously read the two other books in the series, but I was quickly able to jump right into this book and fall into this fantasy world!

This was fast moving, intense, and steamy. I love Nikki (I'm super partial to her) and Jaron and absolutely love their chemistry. There were some very hot scenes (think NSFW) that were very steamy.

I really like this universe and the direction it is going I will definitely be reading the two previous books, as well as any future books. I'll also be checking out the Outcasts series, which is set in the same universe.

I'm so grateful to Cyndi Friberg, Anything-but-Ordinary Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

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What a good read! The Sarronti are fascinating and their world so unique. Velmar intrigues me with his abilities and personality. Well written and fast paced this story is excellent. I highly recommend it and the series. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and freely leave this honest review.

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I was drawn to the cover and to the title that resembles the alien-lore around Skinwalker ranch. I am taking a break from the academic and at times bleak non fiction books for something fun and this def delivered. Took me back to my highschool era of romance/fantasy/action books that I almost exclusively read at the time.
Did I absolutely go rogue and unknowingly request the third book of a trilogy off of netgalley? .........yes
Did I finish the whole book in an evening? AHA Also yes
10/10 would recommend.
5 stars for a good romp - I literally barely knew what was going on but was just finding myself saying "sure why not" and turning the page.

PG-13 ish? I think I would be fine with my teenager reading this. That being said, I am 24 and have no children so take from that opinion what you will.

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