Not in anyway at all for me, the way it teats the subject of sexual assault and rape isn’t acceptable at all, this subject is not just a plot device to be treated with little respect for the trauma it causes, cannot recommend at all

I enjoyed this book since I'm a glutton for dark romances and aliens, but the storytelling wasn't all that compelling.

I love the premise that Aliens saved the humans from extinction. And that now in the rebuild aliens and humans are integrated. It gives us the perfect mix of dystopian and Sci-fi. I also loved the dark romance between Arwen and Mak. Multiple POV books are also always a favorite of mine.

This story was a little to allover the place for my liking. I never connected with Maks. Couldn't understand the decisions she made.

Honestly did not seem like my kind of book at first, but the world it's set in has stuck with me long since reading it!!! Such a page turner dark romance!! Definitely recommend giving it a read.

With a pen name like Salander.....

Here is a demo-monde, set in a future where Aliens are no secret, here, they can and do walk among us.

The heroine of the story meets some rather dodg characters in the wro g end of town, and gets kidnapped. By Aliens.

What follows then is a rather pervy case of Stockholm syndrome. The kidnapped is kept in a state of subjucation and observation by her captors, who remain convinced that she had harmed one of their people. They meanwhile, seem to have an interest in her that goes beyond professional....

This novel works then as a dark cyberpunk-type thriller, but with a strong erotic component: this novel therefore, is a bit of a crossover. Perhaps it will not be enjoyed at all by those who don't appreciate erotica on any shape or form, but it should certainly hit the erasure centers of those that do.

This was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Alien, dark, dystopian romance? Hell yeah. It was very different from what I usually read, and I liked it.
From the first page I felt pulled into the story, it was a very interesting read. I liked the world building and the characters, but some readers have to look out for some triggers.

Latent: A dark dystopian romance. Hmmm…. Not exactly sure I would have classified this book as ‘A dark dystopian romance’. Dark? Maybe because there are a few forced sex scenes, enough to come with trigger warnings. Dystopian? Going to have to say it felt more SciFy than dystopian because Hello! There be Aliens! Romance? Again, tough call. Not a whole lot of romancing going on but there is RH and it ends on a HEA, so I’ll cave a little on the romance.

Okay, now that I have nitpicked the title and genre to death, let’s get on with what I thought of the book itself. It was good. Not screaming great but good. As first-time writer, Rae Salander has potential. I certainly had a hard time putting the book down. As the story progressed, I kept wanting to know what was going to happen to Arwen. I’m not going into great detail here because there is quite a bit that happens that is not in the blurb. To be exact, I had to re-check the blurb a few times to see if I was reading the right book because it wasn’t what I expected.

The story is intriguing as well as fast-paced, and I had it read in just over a day. The characters were interesting as well was the storyline. Yes, there were a few editing issues but seeing as I had an ARC, I would like to think they did not carry over to the final print. Ms. Salander did a great job world-building. Just enough at the right points and adding more as the story progressed. I really enjoyed her usage of scent. Not too many authors use scent as identifiers. It gave the characters a unique quality. I was actually to see the story end. Which is when I backtracked to see if this was a series. No indication it is but I’m hoping it will be. Latent ends with a HEA but there is just enough of a tease that it could lead to more. Fingers crossed because I’m hoping there will be. I’d really like to find out what happens next.

Stars: 3.5
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book needed a better editor but with that aside the story line was decent. This book is however full of domestic violence, rape, and other triggers. It should definitely have a trigger warning on it.
Ultimately I based my rating on the overall story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

really wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t connect with the characters or writing style. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good book, of course—everyone has different tastes so if the description appeals to you, give it a go.

Thanks to NetGalley for offering me a copy in exchange for an honest review
•••
Latent was a surprise for me. Having my first time experience with NetGalley I didn't knew what to expect among their books. My tastes are... Weird so I requested this book because among the sea of books, it captured my attention.
The plot is honestly a gem. Clear and well build, really didn't confused me with all the alien races and the dystopian setting. I found them all interesting and amazing.
The book is filled with fantasy and romance and the dark themes are so, so well put!
Let's talk now about character's behaviours. This is the part where it lost me as a reader and if it wasn't those cliff hangers I would DNF'd.
Arwen behaviour just doesn't make sense in many points. She can't going through what she is going through and be that accepting toward a particular someone. I am trying to keep my review spoiler free so please except some parts that don't make sense. Like Arwen's behaviour.
I found myself many times questioning her sanity and her ability to make choices.
What also didn't enjoyed were some dialogues. After erotic scenes or fighting scenes or torture scenes some dialogues really didn't make any sense. I understand it was for the reader and Arwen to learn more details and fill some gaps but it didn't fit the mood.
I am choosing to keep the good parts that contain: great story line, full fantasy, dark erotica theme, reverse harem (which I don't know why it doesn't mentioned), Dystopian setting that really captured me.
I am really looking forward for the next book

I loved reading this dark dystopian story. The story was amazing and I read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down.
The characters were compelling and the book beautifully written. This was my first book by Raegen Salander and I greatly enjoyed it and now can't wait to read more of her works. This book was steamy and filled with twists that had me on the edge of my seat.
I totally recommend this book especially to people who aren't afraid of dark storylines and love sci-fi fiction

The perfect daughter, the perfect partner, and the perfect medic-that’s me, or at least that’s what I have been working on for most of my life.
So, what if I find my papa has a condition that has no discovered cure? I can work harder to make him proud while he still remembers me.
When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Raegan Salander is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

I read Latent with the hopes that it would be an interesting story about aliens and humans. Going in I was aware there would be dubious/non-consent and was okay with that if it was necessary to tell the story. To start, the story seemed to be okay but unfortunately, the non-con scene in the story and the heroine's reaction to it and her rapist killed any enjoyment that I may have found in this book. Rape should never be treated frivolously. When added to a story it should be heavy, gut-wrenching and disgusting, not something that the heroine can brush aside and forgive enough to cuddle with her rapist the next time she sees him. This story made a mockery out of a horrific crime in the hopes of creating a romance. It, and the ridiculously stupid heroine only made me sick. Even after her so-called love-interests call her out of her name and leave her in the hands of a torturer she still loves and forgives them. Sorry, but this was so not for me. I would give it 0 stars if I could and do not recommend.

Addictive take on future Earth with aliens among the humans. Definitely an immersion into the alien world and how they operate. Intense and graphic - not for the prudish, but the erotica fits the story rather than the other way around. Really enjoyed this one, hope there is a follow-on of some kind.

Thank you for taking the time to read and view my review regarding Latent. I have read this novel in one evening as I was literally unable top put it down. It was above and beyond all expectations and definitely thoroughly entertaining. It has certainly ticked all the boxes of the erotic genre with the added thrill of alien themed characters. It was intriguing and fascinating and actually has me wondering when the next novel will be available to read here on Netgalley. The author created a novel with a great story line and content. I would highly recommend it to the other people.

I was pulled in quickly by this book. The author does some good world-building in this dystopian dark read, some things do seem the same though like the local pub!

This is a dark read, romance? There's stalking, kidnapping, forced sex - even if she does enjoy it in the end so there could be triggers, but that is to be expected in a dark read.

I had to finish this book the night I started as the story and world intrigued me so much. Arwen the leading lady she was quite amazing how she coped with everything and kept a fighting spirit!

I did read an arc so it needs more editing and formatting, there was a character that I felt was important that seemed to vanish which was disappointing. I think certain parts could benefit from being expanded as there's a whole new world we are diving into let alone new species.

So if you like dark reads, dystopian worlds, and alien races then it's worth visiting Leviathon in Latent!

3.75 - 4 stars

"Things don't always go as planned."

Salander created such a cool world with LATENT. I loved all of the characters. Arwen was so cool and I love dystopia so this was a really good addition to that genre.

Thank you for the gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.

I really did like this story. I am not typically a sci-fi fan, especially more dystopian romance as well. I saw it on Negalley and thought I would give it a try. Turns out, it was worth the time.

Trigger warnings: rape, miscarriage, violence, kidnapping, torture

The romance/sex scenes did not disappoint and were at parts very graphic, but not overly done. I found them to fit perfectly with the story.

This had a great foundation and premise and I'm excited to see where the story goes from the ending on, with the mother and Arwen and the men in her life.

For a brand new author, Salander delivered a powerful novel that added some flair to the dark romance stories we know. I loved the concept of the dystopian society with fertility being an issue. I would love to see more character development and further editing done in the sequels to come as the editing did make it difficult to understand, but I am ready for the next novel!

From what I can see this the first book by this author and I will say that I like the story. It has some great world building. I liked the story , I was not sure at time where it was going but I kept reading.. When I thought I knew who the love interests were going to be, I was wrong, Lol. IT was a good read.

I struggled with this, the story was difficult to get into and didn’t grab me. This was a genre I am not that used to reading, Not for me.