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Shifters of Valo Prime #5
Axon's Anguish
A cozy scifi-romance for those who love cuddly books full of earnest love and big plot developments, featuring a spider-shifter alien with sensory issues, and a woman settling into her ace identity. Escape to a world where the impossible becomes possible through patience and understanding, hurt feelings become mended, and big secrets are revealed that might just change everything. Ashley
Finally, I let out a deep sigh of relief. I’ve gotten away from the dekes. I’ve been desperate for some alone time to sort out my thoughts. I’m ace, I can acknowledge that now, but how do I feel about that? And then there’s Axon. He looks at me as if I were a prize to be cherished, but when I accidentally fell on him, he ran away instead of helping me. Is my touch so horrible that he had to run from it?
Just as I start to sort out my feelings, disaster strikes and I’m no longer sure leaving the dekes on my own was a good idea...
Axon
How can I make things up to Ashley? It’s killing me that she won’t even look my way. I deserve her ire, but I want to make things right. I’m so consumed with these thoughts that I completely missed the fact that she left the mountain and the clearing. No one can find her and even my heightened senses can barely pick up her fading scent trail.
Why did she leave? What if she’s hurt or worse? What if the other dekes took her? My blood runs cold at the thought. I have to find her, I have to find her now!
This is NOT a standalone book. It is highly reccommended you read books 1-4 in the series first.
Finally, I let out a deep sigh of relief. I’ve gotten away from the dekes. I’ve been desperate for some alone time to sort out my thoughts. I’m ace, I can acknowledge that now, but how do I feel about that? And then there’s Axon. He looks at me as if I were a prize to be cherished, but when I accidentally fell on him, he ran away instead of helping me. Is my touch so horrible that he had to run from it?
Just as I start to sort out my feelings, disaster strikes and I’m no longer sure leaving the dekes on my own was a good idea...
Axon
How can I make things up to Ashley? It’s killing me that she won’t even look my way. I deserve her ire, but I want to make things right. I’m so consumed with these thoughts that I completely missed the fact that she left the mountain and the clearing. No one can find her and even my heightened senses can barely pick up her fading scent trail.
Why did she leave? What if she’s hurt or worse? What if the other dekes took her? My blood runs cold at the thought. I have to find her, I have to find her now!
This is NOT a standalone book. It is highly reccommended you read books 1-4 in the series first.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2024
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Crystal M. Rose
14 books31 followersCrystal Rose is the author of Lunar series.
She has a BA from Indiana University and is currently working in corporate America. She is thrilled to finally be using her degree in Creative Writing to write books about alien mates and their exciting sci-fi adventures.
She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, kiddo, and two cats.
She has a BA from Indiana University and is currently working in corporate America. She is thrilled to finally be using her degree in Creative Writing to write books about alien mates and their exciting sci-fi adventures.
She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, kiddo, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 19, 2024
I want to devour her, not just in body, in soul. I wanted to hold this love, this moment within me for all time, for every lifetime.
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Content warning: attempted kidnapping, explicit s3x, mention of fat shaming, a fight scene and sensory overload.
S3xual content: mast€rb@t!on, t***yf**k and vibrating p€€n.
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Book 5 of series, this is not a standalone. Read the previous books.
Written in 1st person POV. Dual POV.
Ending: hfn
Spice: there are some spicy scenes, especially with luminescence. 3
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Axon's Anguish is a cozy, sweet yet spicy sci-fi romance. This book features an ace fmc and mmc with sensory issues that deeply care for each other, but have unique obstacles and insecurities they have to work through to be together. Continue the series by reading this cute book with ace rep and a lovable blue alien that loves his mate.
Ashley was a woman who deserved better. I felt bad for her. Ashley wasn't really understood or appreciated by the men on earth. Which made me so excited she got with Axon. Axon's love felt like a healing balm. He loved her and accepted for who she was. Ashley didn't have to compromise s3xually with him. Axon was a great mmc, book boyfriend material.
There's a bit misunderstanding at first. Axon really should have told Ashley about his sensory issues beforehand to avoid trouble. I found it somewhat frustrating, but once things cleared up between them, the romance picked up. They had a sweet, thoughtful romance with touching dialogue and cute moments. I personally enjoyed Axon braiding Ashley's hair. This book was quite romantic, with some spicy moments.
Axon is my favorite alien of the series so far. He was so great for Ashley. I really enjoyed this book.
This was an ARC read and review. I'm grateful to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this.
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Content warning: attempted kidnapping, explicit s3x, mention of fat shaming, a fight scene and sensory overload.
S3xual content: mast€rb@t!on, t***yf**k and vibrating p€€n.
-----
Book 5 of series, this is not a standalone. Read the previous books.
Written in 1st person POV. Dual POV.
Ending: hfn
Spice: there are some spicy scenes, especially with luminescence. 3
-----
Axon's Anguish is a cozy, sweet yet spicy sci-fi romance. This book features an ace fmc and mmc with sensory issues that deeply care for each other, but have unique obstacles and insecurities they have to work through to be together. Continue the series by reading this cute book with ace rep and a lovable blue alien that loves his mate.
Ashley was a woman who deserved better. I felt bad for her. Ashley wasn't really understood or appreciated by the men on earth. Which made me so excited she got with Axon. Axon's love felt like a healing balm. He loved her and accepted for who she was. Ashley didn't have to compromise s3xually with him. Axon was a great mmc, book boyfriend material.
There's a bit misunderstanding at first. Axon really should have told Ashley about his sensory issues beforehand to avoid trouble. I found it somewhat frustrating, but once things cleared up between them, the romance picked up. They had a sweet, thoughtful romance with touching dialogue and cute moments. I personally enjoyed Axon braiding Ashley's hair. This book was quite romantic, with some spicy moments.
Axon is my favorite alien of the series so far. He was so great for Ashley. I really enjoyed this book.
This was an ARC read and review. I'm grateful to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this.
October 6, 2024
Axon has all but lost hope in ever having a relationship with the one woman he's infatuated with. Every time she touches him it just gets too much for him. Will there ever be a way for them to be together?
Ashley has had enough of Axon flinching away from her touch. He's the one guy she's interested in but he apparently there's no hope for them to become mates. In addition she's just coming to terms with her being ace and everything that comes with it. Will she ever have a fulfilling relationship without feeling pressured?
These two are just so adorable. After getting caught in a storm, they share Axon's cave (oh no! Only one cave 🙃) for shelter and start to open up towards one another.
Once they start talking and the initial issues are addressed, both are so sweet and understanding of one another's needs and boundaries. I loved seeing how their relationships slowly grows always within their own pace and abilities. I was smiling and swooning throughout most of the book and it's definitely a couple I'll revisit in the future.
This is book 5 in the series, which needs to be read in order.
Ashley has had enough of Axon flinching away from her touch. He's the one guy she's interested in but he apparently there's no hope for them to become mates. In addition she's just coming to terms with her being ace and everything that comes with it. Will she ever have a fulfilling relationship without feeling pressured?
These two are just so adorable. After getting caught in a storm, they share Axon's cave (oh no! Only one cave 🙃) for shelter and start to open up towards one another.
Once they start talking and the initial issues are addressed, both are so sweet and understanding of one another's needs and boundaries. I loved seeing how their relationships slowly grows always within their own pace and abilities. I was smiling and swooning throughout most of the book and it's definitely a couple I'll revisit in the future.
This is book 5 in the series, which needs to be read in order.
October 8, 2024
This is book 5 in the Valo Prime series, and it picks up right where book 4 finished.
I was really intrigued to see how this one would play out - a spider shifter with sensory issues and a newly emerged Ace human. It had all the longing you can imagine, along with incredibly sweet and healthy communication between the two MC's (when they eventually opened up to each other).
Axon was just adorable, and I'm so glad the two of them worked together to support each other with their individual needs and create the relationship they both deserved.
Overall, this is a very sweet and cozy read, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
I was really intrigued to see how this one would play out - a spider shifter with sensory issues and a newly emerged Ace human. It had all the longing you can imagine, along with incredibly sweet and healthy communication between the two MC's (when they eventually opened up to each other).
Axon was just adorable, and I'm so glad the two of them worked together to support each other with their individual needs and create the relationship they both deserved.
Overall, this is a very sweet and cozy read, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
October 7, 2024
Gah Axon and Ashley was perfect together. Literally. They fit so well together.
Ashley has some worries and her feelings are so valid and Axon does everything to help her through but then Ashley helps him right back.
These two was the sweetest and Axon had me swooning hard because he's just so understanding.
I'm loving the direction of the way the background is going and the next books couple sounds exciting!
Ashley has some worries and her feelings are so valid and Axon does everything to help her through but then Ashley helps him right back.
These two was the sweetest and Axon had me swooning hard because he's just so understanding.
I'm loving the direction of the way the background is going and the next books couple sounds exciting!
July 23, 2025
Intimacy isn’t solely defined by physicality—it’s about trust, emotional closeness, and mutual understanding. The romance between Axon and Ashley blossoms without sexual tension, yet it brims with genuine affection and validation. Their relationship is grounded in respect and genuine connection.
Their story shows that love doesn't require sacrifice or changing who you are, the message of acceptance and unconditional love resonates with thoughtful, inclusive storytelling.
Their story shows that love doesn't require sacrifice or changing who you are, the message of acceptance and unconditional love resonates with thoughtful, inclusive storytelling.
October 13, 2024
I will read anything by Crystal Rose but Axon’s story has a special place in my heart. As a person on the gray scale myself, how she chose to represent an ace person and their relationship, is very meaningful to me. I had been heading toward a major reading slump but this one pulled me right outta it.
October 5, 2024
Yay! I'm the first reviewer! Oh man, what can I say....this book was amazing! The asexual rep was great and well written, the sensory rep was very well done, and overall, I just found this book very sweet. The two were so sweet, and Axon is so kind and understanding. Overall, I had such a good time with this book and I devoured it in less than a day.
Thank you for the arc from the author.
Thank you for the arc from the author.
October 10, 2024
I think I say this with every book, but this is my favorite in the series! Axon is such a great MMC and I loved how sweet and understanding he is. I really enjoyed seeing these two work together to build a beautiful relationship. They were perfect for each other. I'm so excited for where the world building is headed in this series. I can't wait to find out more!
October 14, 2024
sensory sensitive and ace rep
It was nice to see these two tall things out and not have communication issues the entire book. Axon is such a sweetie. So supportive and respectful. The sensory stuff felt a bit off.
It was nice to see these two tall things out and not have communication issues the entire book. Axon is such a sweetie. So supportive and respectful. The sensory stuff felt a bit off.
November 18, 2024
I wanted to devour her, but not just in body, in soul. I wanted to hold this love, this moment within me for all of time, for every lifetime. I wanted this love to sustain me like air for many millennia to come.
…
Axon’s Anguish was absolutely perfect. This book was so sweet and heartwarming. I couldn’t get enough of this couple as they worked through their love. This gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
What I love most about this series is how diverse it is! Every character is unique with a fleshed out backstory. I feel like this series does such a great job with representing characters that aren’t common in romance books.
In this book we have Axon who has sensory issues and Ashley who is coming to terms with her ace identity. These two have so much love for each other and want to find a way to be together regardless of what they think is holding them back. In the end they both embrace their identities and needs to find a love that isn’t as conventional for romance books.
I also liked the push with the overarching plot of how Axon’s people ended up on the planet. I’m really interested to see what happens next!
(As a side note… the STEM girly in me was giggling over how Axon’s name is literally part of a neuron. And he’s a guy with sensory issues (neurons fire impulses and it’s how we feel things). When I asked Crystal about it she said it was unintentional, but I think it’s the most perfect name for him! I love it!)
…
Axon’s Anguish was absolutely perfect. This book was so sweet and heartwarming. I couldn’t get enough of this couple as they worked through their love. This gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
What I love most about this series is how diverse it is! Every character is unique with a fleshed out backstory. I feel like this series does such a great job with representing characters that aren’t common in romance books.
In this book we have Axon who has sensory issues and Ashley who is coming to terms with her ace identity. These two have so much love for each other and want to find a way to be together regardless of what they think is holding them back. In the end they both embrace their identities and needs to find a love that isn’t as conventional for romance books.
I also liked the push with the overarching plot of how Axon’s people ended up on the planet. I’m really interested to see what happens next!
(As a side note… the STEM girly in me was giggling over how Axon’s name is literally part of a neuron. And he’s a guy with sensory issues (neurons fire impulses and it’s how we feel things). When I asked Crystal about it she said it was unintentional, but I think it’s the most perfect name for him! I love it!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews