Ruling Sikthand
Damaged alien warrior king meets a headstrong human bride in this slow-burn romance filled with political intrigue, tension, and an obsession he never saw coming.
❤️ Please click the heart at the top or bottom of this post. It lets me know you enjoyed my review and helps other people find this newsletter.
What Is This Book About?
Sophia just wanted a vacation. A little planetary sightseeing, some new experiences—not getting kidnapped by aliens and thrown into the middle of a brewing war. But here she is, stranded on a dangerous planet with Sikthand, a grumpy, battle-hardened warrior king who can’t decide if he wants to kill her, use her as a political pawn, or claim her for himself.
Sikthand never intended to take a human hostage, but when his enemies make a move against his people, he sees an opportunity. Sophia is valuable, and if keeping her means securing his throne, so be it. But the real problem? She refuses to make things easy. She’s stubborn, sharp-tongued, and way too tempting for a woman who’s supposed to be nothing more than a bargaining chip.
With tensions rising and threats closing in, Sophia and Sikthand are forced into an uneasy alliance—and eventually, a marriage of convenience. It’s a solid plan… as long as they don’t do anything stupid.
Like fall in love.
“No. I don’t bend.” Sikthand’s eyes drifted to the mirror. Truth rose like acid in his throat. “But I could break for her.”
Quick Facts
Title and Author: Ruling Sikthand, by Victoria Aveline
HEA: Yes
Tropes: Fated Mates, Alpha Male, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn
POV: FMC and MMC
Trigger Warnings: None
Books in Series: 7 as of 2/8/25
Overall Story: ★★★★
Character Development: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★
World Building: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★★★
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (including hand necklaces and tail play)
“Bite me so everyone can see the marks.” - Sophia
My Take (Very Minor Spoilers)
After re-reading Choosing Theo and jumping around the Clecanian series, I had to review Ruling Sikthand next because it’s easily my second favorite. (Tempting Auzed takes third place.)
One thing Victoria Aveline does so well is world-building—not just describing the setting but weaving in cultural traditions, body language, and societal norms. In Ruling Sikthand, the Vrulans have tails, and they aren’t just there for aesthetic appeal. They play a role in communication and everyday interactions. A councilwoman taps her tail to signal she wants to speak. Sikthand swishes his when impatient. And in more private moments? Let’s just say he finds very creative ways to use it. (Yes, along with his ribbed anatomy, because of course.) If you’re wondering about the spice level—this book is 100% open-door with nothing left to the imagination.
And all of this plays out against an incredibly layered political landscape that’s been built up over six books. Ruling in Vrulatica isn’t about charisma or diplomacy—it’s about strength. A ruler perceived as weak? Dead. Sikthand knows this better than anyone. He’s survived multiple assassination attempts, trusts no one, and even his own council, the Guild, is filled with people who could betray him at any moment. His paranoia isn’t just for show—it’s necessary. Watching him navigate these constant threats while Sophia finds her footing in this brutal society is riveting.
If there was ever a poster boy for damaged hero, it would be Sikthand. After nearly being assassinated by someone he trusted deeply, he shut himself off completely. No attachments, no risks.
And then Sophia shows up.
Sikthand immediately feels pulled towards her, but he fights it every step of the way. He’s convinced that letting anyone in will be his downfall. But that doesn’t stop him from watching her. Wanting her. His longing is so intense it hurts. You feel how badly he craves connection, but his past trauma won’t let him surrender to it.
And yet, even when he keeps his walls up, he loves her. He’ll act cold one moment, then turn around and do something thoughtful without her even realizing it was him.
Sophia, meanwhile, has been on Clecania for about a year. She still misses some things about Earth, but she’s carving out a new life. Getting kidnapped by an alien king and thrown into an arranged marriage? Not exactly on the bucket list.
But Sophia is a survivor. She refuses to be a pawn, so she shifts her focus—if she’s going to be here, she’ll use her position to help the humans on Clecania. And this is why I love her. She’s not the type to wallow or break down. She adapts. Instead of letting Sikthand shut her out, she challenges him. She recognizes that his harshness isn’t cruelty—it’s fear. She refuses to give up on him even as she gives him space and proves, over and over again, that she’s someone he can trust.
This book is the definition of slow burn, with some of the most heart-wrenching longing I’ve read. Every time Sikthand pushed her away, I felt it. But when we finally got there? Worth. Every. Second. Victoria Aveline knows how to write spice and when things finally explode, she delivers. There are four steamy scenes, each one building on the last, turning up the heat until the, ahem, climax.
Bottom line? Ruling Sikthand is slow-burn, angst-heavy, and tension-packed. If you love damaged heroes, fierce heroines, and a romance that burns, this book is a must.
TBR!