Kate and the Kraken is the second book I’ve read by Honey Phillips, and I loved it so much! It’s charming and uplifting with otherworld curiosity and the perfect amount of spice. It’s a good time.
Affiliate Disclaimer: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program. As such, if you make a purchase through one of my links below, I’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Kate and the Kraken by Honey Phillips
🥭🥭🥭🥭.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, third limited, past tense
Genre: MF Alien Romance, Science Fiction
Tropes/Themes: Alien Abduction, First Contact, Dramatic Rescue, Kissing for Air, Women in STEM, Royalty, Secret Identity, Algae Farms, Alien Planet, Both Virgins, Tentacles
Synopsis:
After being abducted by aliens who intend to sell her as a pleasure slave, scientist Kate’s pod crash-lands on a watery alien planet. When the pod springs a leak, she’s sure she’s going to die. Instead, she’s rescued by a mysterious stranger with teal skin, gold eyes, and an abundance of secrets.
“It’s a little short,” she said nervously.
The hem fluttered across the top of her thighs. The gown was designed not to impede the transition from the land form to the sea form, but in her case, it simply made him realize how easy it would be to slip a limb beneath the short garment.
My Review:
This story does so many things right. From the world-building to the romance to the humor, I loved every moment.
World-building
Mafana is an ocean-based planet with limited land. The inhabitants are kraken-like beings who can wrap their tentacles together to form legs for land use. I really enjoyed what we got to see about their culture. The wealthy form Houses, which are like kingdoms, and it’s all about acquiring wealth, status, and power. Prince A’tai’s mother is a shrewd businesswoman who suggests gambling and brothels to bring in more money, much to A’tai’s horror. But she crosses a line when she suggests A’tai take a mate to improve their status.
Characters
I loved both the main characters, Kate and A’tai, and the side characters. I really liked that both Kate and A’tai are scholars as it gives them a basis to relate to one another and understand their passions. A’tai has a fierce desire to protect Kate (almost to a fault), and I really enjoyed how gentle and patient he was with her. It’s hard not to love/hate/love A’tai’s mother, U’rsul. She’s brilliant, and I have a healthy respect for her dramatic performances and manipulations.
Laugh-Out-Loud Moments
A romance that brings the heat but also makes me laugh is a win for me, and there were so many laugh-out-loud moments in Kate and the Kraken. Kate comparing A’tai to an octopus (which he hates, because he is not a lower life form, thank you very much), was hilarious. But my absolute favorite part was this passage:
He seemed almost as shocked as she felt as she floated back to earth.
“What is this place on your body?”
“My clit.” Her voice still sounded odd in her ears.
“Human males are very lucky to have such an easy way to pleasure their females.”
Final Thoughts:
Of the two Alien Abduction books I’ve read, this one is my favorite. Each book can be read as a standalone, yet some have interconnecting characters. For example, we meet fellow captives Lily and Mary at the start of Kate and the Kraken, and now I really want to read Lily and the Lion and Mary and the Minotaur to find out what happens when them.
Kate and the Kraken by Honey Phillips (Alien Abduction Book 11)
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Honey Phillips is the author of spicy science fiction romance and paranormal romance novels.
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Goodreads
Bookbub
Banner Image Credit: Tsunami
~~If you like spicy books with tentacles, check out my SPICY TENTACLE REC LIST~~
Leave a Reply