Oh, where do I even begin with Jennifer Julie Miller’s DaR (Darverius, House of DaR #1)? An author band new to me. Let me just say, this book grabbed me by the collar, yanked me into its chaotic, alien-filled drama, and didn’t let me go until I’d finished… well, if we’re not counting the occasional snack breaks, because let’s be real, no one can survive galactic mayhem on an empty stomach. This was my introduction to Miller, and while it wasn’t a flawless masterpiece tied up with a bow, it was a wildly entertaining ride. Like that one friend who always tells the loudest, most absurd stories at a party, they might miss a few details or contradict themselves, but you’re too busy laughing and gasping to care.

So, let’s talk about Kira, the human protagonist who’s just minding her own business on Earth before she’s spectacularly abducted by aliens. And not just your run-of-the-mill aliens, but the kind that make you question every sci-fi trope you’ve been fed over the years. Kira is not your typical heroine in any sense of the word; she’s in her forties, for starters, which in book-years feels like discovering a unicorn. She’s had kids, for crying out loud! She’s got that world-weary, no-nonsense air of someone who’s probably survived PTA meetings and too many family dinners, and she’s not here to learn kung fu overnight or spout off witty one-liners while saving the galaxy. No, Kira is just trying to survive, which, frankly, is a breath of fresh air. She’s relatable in a way that most sci-fi protagonists aren’t. I mean, haven’t we all had days where just making it through feels like an achievement? Granted, most of us haven’t had to survive alien abductions and auctions, but you get what I mean.

And oh, the auction scene. If you thought things couldn’t get grimmer, buckle up. Let’s just say Miller doesn’t pull her punches when it comes to Kira’s ordeal. The descriptions are visceral, the tension is sky-high, and you’re left wincing on Kira’s behalf. This is where she meets DaR, our mysterious alien hero, though calling him a hero might be a bit premature. First impressions? He’s shrouded in a cloak, practically dripping with nobility, and clearly not there for the thrills. He doesn’t even agree with slavery, which makes his presence at the auction even more intriguing. Turns out, his affectionate house AI… yes, an AI, convinced him to get a helper, when DaR tries to say no the AI eventually convinces him to buy a slave as he can always free her once she has adjusted and knows how to stay safe. Let’s pause here for a moment to appreciate the AI, which might just be my favorite supporting character in the whole book. It’s sassy, pragmatic, and honestly, more relatable than some humans I know. If Miller ever decides to write an AI spin-off, well that is probably something I would pick up and read.

Back to DaR. He’s high-ranking, alien nobility, in case you’re wondering and while we get a few crumbs about his appearance, Miller clearly decided that mystery is the spice of life. I found myself squinting at the pages, hoping for some magical revelation about his looks, but nope. She keeps him just vague enough to drive you mildly insane. Thankfully, other characters get more descriptive treatment, so it’s not all foggy silhouettes and ambiguous outlines. Still, it left me wishing she’d gone back and filled in the blanks for DaR. How am I supposed to daydream about him if I don’t even know what he looks like? You get an idea from the cover however in the world of e-books not many look at a cover very long if at all and is in black and white.

What really stands out about DaR is his moral complexity. He’s not some brooding, tragic hero who spends half the book pushing people away in the name of emotional angst. He’s figuring things out, as much as Kira is. Their dynamic is, well, messy. But in the best way. He’s trying to navigate what to do with a human he didn’t exactly want, and Kira is trying to piece herself together in a world that makes zero sense after watching her husband get killed in front of her in the air on their airplane by aliens that want all the females and kill all the males. It’s awkward, it’s raw, and it’s incredibly compelling. There are moments where you want to shake them and scream, “Just talk to each other, for the love of all things alien!” but then again, isn’t that what makes it so human? Or, uh, humanoid?

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the continuity issues. They’re there, sure. A character might do something that doesn’t line up with what they did three chapters ago, or a minor detail might contradict itself. Did it pull me out of the story? For a moment, maybe. But did it ruin the experience? Absolutely not. Look, when you’re dealing with intergalactic drama, morally conflicted aliens, and a traumatized human protagonist, a few hiccups are par for the course especially with a new author, this book does not scream written by an AI. Honestly, it’s not often and did not take away from the book just reminded me to go get more vegies and dip.

This book moves at breakneck speed. One moment you’re wincing through Kira’s brutal abduction, the next you’re trying to keep up with DaR’s moral dilemmas and the AI’s snarky commentary. Could their been more to the book, absolutely, the book had greater potential yet for the length the book is, it is far better then most to say the least. Sure, there were times I wished for a breather, a moment to soak in the world-building or get to know the characters better, but then again, the chaos is part of the charm. It’s like a rollercoaster, terrifying, exhilarating, and over before you know it or is it. Afterall this is a series. It will be interesting to see how the writing improves over this series.

And let’s not forget the world-building. Miller doesn’t drown you in endless details about alien geography or galactic politics, which has enough balance to not make your eyes roll and you to say get back to the story. There probably could have been a bit more here however I would not say that this took away at all from the story. The world feels alive chaotic and imperfect, but alive.

By the time I finished, I realized I wasn’t ready to let go. Sure, I had my nitpicks. Sure, I had questions that may never be answered who knows. But at the end of the day, Miller kept me hooked. And isn’t that what really matters? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a review to post and maybe a telepathic message to send to Miller, begging for more sequels.

What is a book you have recently found you loved that was a random choice and perhaps find a new author you enjoy? What was it and who was the author?