Viper by Naomi Lucas [Review]

Viper (Naga Brides #1) by Naomi Lucas
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 23, 2021

Naga Brides
1. Viper - Paperback | Kindle
2. King Cobra
3. Blue Coral
4. Death Adder
5. Boomslang
6. Cottonmouth

Naomi Lucas
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Long have we been alone.

Without brides, without females to warm us during the long nights. Without sweet mates.
But we see them, from afar, brides that could be ours. Kept away from us by walls and weapons. Females we long for greatly.

Obsessively.

Human females.

And the one with red hair? I want her. I saw her first. I will fight to the death for her.

She is MINE.

So, we’ll come together and make an exchange with their men that will benefit us all.
After that?
To the winner goes the spoils…
Let the hunt begin.

But the red-headed female is MINE.

Thoughts on Viper: One thing I genuinely like about Naomi Lucas books is that the dudes are borderline feral. And when I say "borderline feral", please know that I mean they're closer to feral than non-feral. They're possessive and sometimes brutal and they can be such grumpy, brooding, slightly angry sweethearts when it comes to their special someone.

I dig that.

Vruksha is determined to call Gemma his no matter the obstacles. A little human military fortress? Pfft. He'll figure a way to get to her. Other Naga that might claim her? He'll kill them first. He's possessive and obsessive and utterly enchanted by his human. That doesn't make him a pushover, though. While he wants to give Gemma everything she asks for, he's also slightly crazed about keeping her safe. One of the few times he slips up and gives in even though he knows it might not be as safe as it should be, Gemma ends up separated from him and badly injured. So he's NOT going to let that happen again. (although he does find it so hard to deny her anything...)

On her end, Gemma is angry that she and another woman have been traded to the Nagas for the tech her people need. She's in an awful position on several fronts and she refuses to be caught and claimed by anyone. She doesn't go easily with Vruksha and giving in to him and what he kindles in her (when it does eventually happen) messes with her head a little. It isn't until Gemma learns some hard truths that she realizes she's exactly where she wants to be.

A little danger, a lot of heat, a broken world that is absolutely FASCINATING (no lie, I love worlds that have been broken and abandoned something fierce), and some questions about the past that tickle my fancy. *thumbs up* all around.