Sara's Review: Trapped (The Condemned #1) by Alison Aimes

reviewer purchase PUBLISHER: Orchid Publishing RELEASED: March 1, 2016 GENRE: scifi, romance LENGTH: 200 pages FORMAT: ebook, paperback

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Cadet Bella West has one simple objective when she joins the scientific mission to Dragath25, the notorious penal planet housing Earth’s condemned. Earn the credits necessary to save her family from starvation. But when her shuttle crashes and the majority of her crew perish, her simple mission becomes complicated fast. Now, to stay alive she’ll have to depend on one of Dragath’s own. But such protection doesn’t come free.

Convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, 673 has become more beast than man after eight grueling years on an unforgiving, hazardous planet of dirt and rock—and even more treacherous inhabitants. He doesn’t look out for anyone but himself and he certainly never grows attached. So when the bold female offers him pleasure in return for protection, he takes the deal without hesitation. He never expects how her touch will alter him. Or the growing realization that saving her may be the key to his own salvation.

But as dangers mount and their ‘simple’ deal unravels will he prove to be her surprise savior or her ultimate downfall? Because caring for someone on Dragath25 may prove the greatest hazard of all. THREE BOUNDLESS STARS

There is just something about this type of story that I enjoy. A woman is stranded on a prison planet and a strong man needs to step up and protect her in exchange for her body. I have read almost everything I can find that is along the same lines, there isn’t much, and I look often. I recently stumbled on Trapped and of course, I jumped on it. I think to quote another reviewer the heroin is “TSTL” or “too stupid to live”. But Bell fits the description accurately. It is one thing to have a brave independent heroin, but when you make her a bumbling incompetent mess who constantly needs rescue, it is beyond frustrating. I would have like to see Bell either fall in line or contribute, rather than just being a burden and causing more issues. Especially due to the fact she couldn’t follow simple directions.

Trapped was a good story, not my favorite I have read in this sub-genre. I will be interesting to see what the next book in the series offers. I am giving Trapped 3 Boundless Stars.