In Dark Planet Warriors, scary looking Kordolian aliens/warriors board an asteroid mining station Fortuna Tau filled with working humans after being sucked into a wormhole. Kordolians are tyrannical, huge and intimidating with strange silver skin and pointed ears. The Kordolian general, Tarak, must now get the humans to fix the Kordolian battle crusier before the wormhole collapses again. However, he finds himself intrigued by a messy, awkward human female biologist who captivates his attention. The rest of his Kordolian warriors also find themselves falling like dominoes under the “mating fever” triggered by human women. Their journey eventually lands them on earth with their human mates, where they must learn to co-exist with humans while also fighting the dregs of the evil Kordolian empire.
Dark Planet Warriors is the perfect example of why readers love sci-fi romance: pulse pounding action, futuristic politics, fiercely devoted alien heroes, strong heroines and alien/human love stories for the ages. While the true shining stars are General Tarak and Abbey, the rest of the First Division warriors are just as protective and devoted to their human mates as their General. While the series gets off to semi-slow start with the first two books, it REALLY cranks up the pace and intensity by Into the Light (#3).
After 8 books, and the spin-off series, Darkstar Mercenaries, we still want MORE!
Series Grade: A+
Spice Level: HOT
Disclosure: The Romance Wire participates in the Amazon Associates Program. This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Abbey, a human living on a remote asteroid mining station, encounters a group of intimidating Kordolian aliens led by the arrogant and domineering General Tarak. Stranded near her station after a wormhole mishap, the Kordolians need to repair their ship and eliminate a deadly alien threat, the Xargek, before time runs out. Abbey finds herself drawn to Tarak despite his intimidating presence and their stark differences, while Tarak is inexplicably captivated by the awkward, messy human who defies all his expectations.
Couple: General Tarak & Abbey
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, virgin hero, morally-grey hero, tortured hero, human heroine, independent heroine, futuristic, interspecies, forbidden love, grumpy vs. sunshine, political intrigue, fated mates & pregnancy.
Grade: B+
Prince Xalikian Kazharan faces the monumental challenge of convincing Earth’s skeptical population that the Kordolians, known for their brutal conquests across the Nine Galaxies, come in peace. His efforts are complicated by Sera Aquinas, a fiercely determined journalist who distrusts his motives but is intrigued by his charm and striking amber eyes. As Sera pushes for the truth behind Xal’s intentions, her professional instincts clash with the undeniable attraction between them.
Couple: Prince Xalikian & Sera
Tropes: alien hero, alpha hero, royalty hero, tortured hero, human heroine, strong heroine, rich heroine, tortured heroine, POC heroine, futuristic, interspecies, political intrigue, insta-love, forbidden love & fated mates.
Grade: B
While Xalikian & Sera’s story was thoroughly enjoyable, I had a hard time connecting with the protagonists and their love story. Xalikian is not your traditional warrior hero, but rather a smooth-talking prince with alpha characteristics. Meanwhile, Sera had TOO many distracting attributes: she is the daughter of a senator, mega rich but hiding it, survivor of a vague accident, ball-busting journalist with her own secret company, AND retired cage fighter.
Abbey and Tarak face new challenges as they prepare for the arrival of their baby. While Abbey grows restless in the restrictive Diplomatic Zone, Tarak, a formidable Kordolian General, remains steadfast in his devotion to her and their unborn child. With Earth under the watchful protection of his warships and the looming threat of the Kordolian Empire, Tarak is determined to shield his growing family from any danger.
Couple: General Tarak & Abbey
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, morally-grey hero, tortured hero, human heroine, independent heroine, futuristic, interspecies, grumpy vs. sunshine, political intrigue, abduction, fated mates & pregnancy.
Grade: A+
We are OFF TO THE RACES! This is where we truly see Tarak’s plans for earth start to come to life. Tarak & Abbey’s relationship hits new passionate depths, and the arrival of their daughter is too sweet to bear. Tarak healed all of my daddy issues!
On the asteroid mining station Fortuna Tau, first-rank mechanic Jia Morgan is tasked with the impossible: repairing the Kordolian battle cruiser, Silence. With alien technology far beyond her expertise, Jia’s efforts seem futile—until she’s aided by a silent, gun-toting Kordolian warrior who is as intimidating as he is intriguing. Despite her fascination, Jia knows better than to get close to a member of this notoriously ruthless alien race. As she focuses on completing the repairs to ensure the Kordolians leave her station intact, an additional threat looms in the form of flesh-eating insect-aliens called Xargek, adding even more tension to an already perilous situation.
Couple: Kalan & Jia
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, virgin hero, tortured hero, morally-grey hero, human heroine, independent heroine, virgin heroine, futuristic, interspecies, forbidden love, grumpy vs. sunshine & fated mates.
Grade: A
Zyara al Sirian, a dedicated Kordolian medic, is finally convinced to take a break from her relentless work to explore Earth’s city nightlife with her friends and their Kordolian mates. In the shadowy, lawless district of Darkside, she encounters Kainan, a mysterious and charismatic Human with ties to the city’s hidden underworld. When a violent conflict erupts on the streets, Zyara’s instincts as a healer compel her to intervene, saving a life. Grateful, Kainan offers her anything she desires, pulling her into a dangerous yet intriguing world of Human secrecy, violence, and shadowy empires. For Zyara, this unexpected encounter may lead to more than she ever anticipated.
Couple: Zyara & Kainan
Tropes: human hero, gangster hero, alpha hero, tortuted hero, morally-grey hero, POC hero, alien heroine, strong heroine, futuristic, interspecies, forbidden love & fated mates.
Grade: B+
A sweet novella that flips the series script on its head. I wondered how Carven could possibly make a human hero measure up to the First Division warriors, but she did it!
Sergeant Arin Varga is tasked with leading her squad of peacekeepers, but her mission takes a perilous turn when they’re held hostage aboard a doomed superfreighter by a group of intimidating Kordolians. The aliens claim they only want safe passage to Earth to eradicate oversized insects, but their silver-skinned menace keeps everyone on edge. Among them, Rykal stands out—dangerous yet disturbingly friendly, he keeps intruding into Arin’s personal space. As tensions rise, Arin must navigate the delicate balance of keeping her squad safe while resisting the unsettling allure of her captivating alien captor.
Couple: Rykal & Arin
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, virgin hero, tortured hero, morally-grey hero, charming hero, human heroine, independent heroine, strong heroine, tortured heroine, futuristic, interspecies, forbidden love & fated mates.
Grade: A
Arin is our resident badass heroine and Rykal its resident bad boy! Be sure to also checkout Rykal & Arin’s short story in Earth Files: Book 1.
After being rescued from captivity by a group of formidable Kordolians, Noa finds herself recovering at a mysterious desert facility. SynCorp’s cruel medical experiments have left her fragile and haunted, burdened with an uncontrollable ability that allows her to hear the thoughts of those around her. The silver-skinned Kordolians, both protective and terrifying, are a constant presence, and their minds are impossible for her to shut out. When she senses a dark, enigmatic being among them who may share her unusual powers, Noa must decide if this stranger is a threat or her only hope for healing and understanding.
Couple: Ashrael & Noali
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, virgin hero, tortured hero, morally-grey hero, human heroine, psychic heroine, tortured heroine, futuristic, interspecies, angst, grumpy vs. sunshine, forbidden love & fated mates.
Grade: B+
Two tortured souls find love and mate-ship in each other. The plot thickens!
After surviving a harrowing encounter with the fierce Kordolians on the superfreighter Hendrix II, Riana wants nothing more than to return to a peaceful, Kordolian-free life on Earth. But with the Board of Corrections scrutinizing her past misdemeanors and an unknown assailant targeting her, peace is out of reach. Her only hope for survival lies with Kail, a silent, deadly Kordolian warrior with piercing coldfire eyes and a sharp sword. Though his presence is intimidating, Kail’s unmatched skills make him her best defense against danger.
Couple: Kail & Riana
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, virgin hero, tortured hero, morally-grey hero, human heroine, independent heroine, nerdy heroine, POC heroine, futuristic, interspecies, grumpy vs. sunshine, forbidden love & fated mates.
Grade: B+
If you like extra taciturn aliens and nerdy heroines, Electric Heart is for you!
Abbey and Tarak are back aboard the warship Silence, orbiting the Dark Planet, while Tarak deals with the complexities of Kythian politics and the final remnants of the Kordolian Empire. Abbey, eager to leave the warship and build a safer life for their child, Ami, hopes their time in space will be brief. Meanwhile, Tarak is focused on protecting his mate and child at all costs, determined to bring down the Empire to secure their future. But as they face enemies that can’t always be defeated by brute strength, Tarak must navigate a world of strategy and politics to keep his family safe.
Couple: General Tarak & Abbey
Tropes: alien hero, warrior hero, alpha hero, morally-grey hero, tortured hero, human heroine, independent heroine, futuristic, interspecies, grumpy vs. sunshine, political intrigue, abduction, fated mates & pregnancy.
Grade: A+
Fantastic conclusion to this series! I keep rooting for Tarak & Abbey more and more each time.
