Beast in a Cage by Tammy Welsh

⭐⭐⭐𐫰

(3.5 stars this was a very interesting read)

 

Beast in a Cage is an alien romance that throws you straight into the heart of a brutal intergalactic prison, one where survival means blood, strength, and a will of steel. The rules are simple: fight to the death or yield and face humiliation. Among these savage battles stands the undefeated champion, known only as The Beast. He’s a legend within those walls, a creature of unmatched power and control, holding his title with not a single loss to his name.

After every gruesome match, the victor is granted a prize—women stolen from worlds scattered across the galaxy, abducted and forced into captivity for the amusement of the cruel. Our heroine, Ivy, has only been on this nightmare planet for a few days when she’s chosen as one of those prizes. Everyone expects the Beast to ignore her like he does all the others. He never picks anyone. Ever. So, when he steps forward, silent and commanding, and chooses her… the entire prison erupts in stunned disbelief.

The premise hooked me instantly, a deadly alien prison built on a moon, inhabited by warriors who fight for survival against the backdrop of a vicious alien race intent on destroying entire species. It’s brutal, intense, and thrillingly original. As someone who has devoured my fair share of alien romances, I found this one to be a standout for the sheer grit of its setting and the emotional depth that grew between the leads.

What really surprised me was the Beast himself. He’s not your typical gruff, possessive alpha with a cruel streak. Despite his past, one filled with torment, loss, and pain, he isn’t bitter or heartless. Instead, he’s gentle in ways that feel almost impossible given his circumstances. There’s kindness hidden behind his monstrous exterior and watching that side of him unfold with Ivy made me fall even harder for their story.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that I wanted more. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste. I would have loved an epilogue showing where they ended up, their future, their family, a glimpse of peace after all the chaos.

Still, Beast in a Cage delivered everything I look for in an alien romance: action, heart, tension, and a love story born in the darkest of places. It’s raw, addictive, and left me desperate for more.

Obviously, I haven't finished all of the books in this trilogy, and I will be getting to them.