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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Review coming soon.. WOW.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
This is the first book in the Jewels of the Nine Kingdoms, a series of interconnected standalones. This is an omegaverse (alpha/beta/omega) romance, without shifters, set in a fantasy world. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author and R&R Books for my eArc.
Tropes and themes include:
✨ Why choose (mfm)
✨ Royalty & court intrigue
✨ Slowburn
✨ He falls first
✨ Found family
✨ She saves herself
✨ Unique desert inspired world
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Feminine rage
✨ Heats and bonds
Rating: 4/5 Stars 3/5 Flames
Nicknames: Sael, Ketra
The Lovely: I wasn’t sure what to expect with an omegaverse romance set in a fantasy world but I loved it! This had the emotionally charged, protective but caring alphas I associate with a great omegaverse but set in a lush and beautiful epic fantasy world. The world building is exquisite - from the coast kingdom all the way to the desert. This pulls and immerses you in the gorgeous settings.
The Mundane: For as long and action packed as this book is, the ending to me felt a bit anti-climatic. Or maybe “too easy” is a better way to describe it. The ending felt too short and rushed for the story that preceded that point.
Recommendation: So I read a lot of omegaverse, and a lot of romantasy. But this is the first time I’ve read a mash-up of the two - and it was fantastic. If you’re a romantasy reader looking to dip your toe into omegaverse, this book would be the perfect place to start.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
✨Book Review & Giveaway @rrbooktours✨
Whisked Away by Enola M. Douglas @enolamdouglas_author
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✨Rating & Review✨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
There’s something about breaking away from expectations and finding your own path. Even if your path just happens to be the one that everyone expected you to take. Freedom comes in the choices WE make; not the choices made for us. And Reiya knows exactly how to do that. The bond she creates with the Xians changed her and made her a more powerful Princess and no one can tell me differently.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
This story has an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, with slow-burn emotional tension and overtly political world building. It is a mild, why-choose omegaverse.
It is written in a quiet yet confident tone, lending voice to the beautifully manicured descriptions of the characters, climate, scenery, and culture, all of which are vivid and compelling. Each word and image feels deliberately chosen… right up until the 70% point, where the writing begins to falter. The author’s excessive references to breathing, exhaling, and gasping becomes extremely distracting. I know that sounds like an odd thing to say, but the word “breath” or “breathing” is used 498 times, the word “exhale” is used 161 times. There’s a lot of “sharp inhaling” and “forced exhaling” and “gasping” that I could do without, as this repetitive imagery pulled me away from the plot and dialogue.
The climax was lacklustre, the villains obvious, and the ending felt rushed, which was disappointing, because so much time and effort was put into developing such a rich world and loveable characters, I wanted more for them.
It is difficult for me to be excited about the next book and the next set of characters when I feel as though the current ones did not receive a full story, despite the length of the book, nor was the ending satisfying.
To end on a positive note, the FMC finds her inner strength thanks to the support of some very lovable side characters. The relationships she develops proves there is charm and magic in even the smallest ties.
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Book review - Arc reader
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Whisked away - Enola M Douglas
A twist on the omegaveres why-choose romantasy is a immersive story with wonderful world building and strong character building. Not your typical omegaverse with werewolves/knotting but with humans with the hierarchy/characteristics of it. A book of Alpha/Betas/Omegas with political/ court storyline. A good balance between plot and slow burn romance. Our late bloomer Omega Reiyana is a strong willed FMC who wants to choose her own destiny and have her voice heard. A contest for her hand brings half brothers Alphas Kaelendrin and Alarik into the mix who don’t fall into the conformity of the old regime and want to make Reiyana theirs. A journey finds FMC on an unsuspecting journey of self discovery, reflection and betrayal that keeps you on your toes and makes you fall in love with different characters.
Looking foward to see where the author takes series.
*Spoiler**
The storyline flow really well until last 80%. As it’s part of a series I had thought it was going to end on a cliffhanger (it does but not the way you think). I felt the ending was slightly rushed and was wanting more of the betrayal of the Hassamir family fallout.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Genre: Adult Omegaverse Romance
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same gene*
(3/5 means this book had average spice for omegaverse)
The Catalog: MFM omegaverse (alpha-omega-alpha), odyssey plot, sunshine MMC x guarded FMC x grumpy MMC, heat tending, secret identity, inexperienced FMC, found family, lush world building, training scenes, slow burn, belly bulging, fighting as foreplay, DP, political intrigue
*no knots / knotting
Whisked Away is book one in the Jewels of the Nine Kingdoms series, a new interconnected standalone omegaverse series in which each book follows different characters, with an overall connecting plot.
Synopsis: Reiyana’s life changed forever when she emerged as an omega late in life. As Princess of Aethonia, she had expected to live her beta life with her childhood sweetheart, but the moment she emerged, her fate was stolen from her. She’s never resented the societal system she lives in more. Kaelendrin and Alarik, Princes of Asasia, join the alpha tournament put on by Reiya’a father on a whim, but find themselves wondering if she’s the omega they’ve been looking for. When she mysteriously disappears, they decide to chase her across the continent on a whirlwind adventure full of danger, betrayal, and simmering slow burn love. Reiya will face her destiny in the unforgiving sands of fate.
Thoughts:
If a book could be my soul mate, it would be this one.
Whisked Away is a deliciously lush odyssey of self discovery that takes the reader through incredibly beautiful seas and sands. Exploring themes such as duty, societal castes, found family, and what it truly means to find freedom in love and life, this is unlike any omegaverse romance I have ever read.
The world building alone is so rich and imaginative that I found myself helplessly lost to the beautifully painted visuals and descriptions of culture, climate, and folklore. Yes, the FMC was whisked away, but I was too. From the misty island of Reiya’s birth, to the daunting, dreamy, LIVING desert she must survive, I was completely and utterly captivated.
The unique take on Omegaverse was also incredibly interesting! I love how the author adapted designations and omegaverse biology, creating something I haven’t quite read before, but worked so well for the world it takes place in. I loved the lore surrounding the Sun and Moon deities, and how that pertains to alphas and omegas.
Reiya, the FMC, has to be one of my favorite omegas I’ve ever read. I became so attached to her journey that I found myself laughing, cheering, and crying alongside her. She’s on a journey of acceptance; finding a way to balance her independence with the reality that she is an omega. With each new challenge she faces on her path to HER true north, she learns more about what is means to live, love, and find freedom in her designation where before she only saw chains. I adore her.
The MMCs, Kaelen and Alaric, are such beautiful oppositions. Kaelen, the Sunborn alpha of Asasia, is very much a ball of solar energy, with golden retriever vibes and so much charm and confidence. His brother, Alaric, is the moon to Kaelen’s sun. He is moody and introspective, damaged, but not so far gone that he doesn’t hold to hope. Their bond is unlike any other sibling relationship I have ever read, and I adored the way they loved each other and worked together for Reiya.
As for the romance, this is an incredibly sizzling slow burn, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. The book’s commentary on trust, destiny, love, life, and freedom in surrender, was so achingly sweet and honestly, in some places, profound. I cried multiple times for how beautiful it was.
This book, in my opinion, rivals some of the more prolific fantasy romances in today’s market, in terms of writing, style, and setting. I kept thinking that the richness reminded me of Priory of the Orange Tree and The Bridge Kingdom.
The one thing that I really wish was different is the lack of knots and knotting. While knotting/knots aren’t a requirement for omegaverse, I truly believe that most readers will expect them, as they have become a staple of the genre. Knowing the genre/community as I do, I think it’s incredibly unusual (in a negative way) for there to be no knotting. I fear that the lack of knotting will be a huge deterrent for most omegaverse romance readers. As in, I think once they find out there isn’t knotting they won’t read, or the lack of knots will negatively affect their ratings. This was, admittedly, a little disappointing for me as well, even though I did really love the intimate scenes. I almost rated lower as well, but ultimately this book spoke to me in a way I cannot describe despite the lack of knotting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment, Classism
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ARC REVIEW
Full of heart, slow-burn tension, and a twist on omegaverse that actually says something—Whisked Away is a romantasy I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Okay besties, let me tell you—Whisked Away surprised me in all the best ways. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and as soon as I saw “omegaverse + why choose romance” in a romantasy setting? Yeah. You know I dove in headfirst.
From the first few chapters, I was hooked. Enola M Douglas’s writing flows so easily that I found myself reading chapter after chapter without even realizing it. The world felt immersive without being info-dumpy, and even though this is a fantasy setting with its own rules, I was never confused or left behind.
👑 The story follows Princess Reiyana, who suddenly presents as an Omega at the age of 20 (after living as a Beta her whole life). This changes everything for her—no more freedom, no more personal agency, and now she’s the most sought-after political prize in the Nine Kingdoms. But then two half-brothers—Kaelendrin and Alarik—enter the royal tournament, and let’s just say… everything starts to unravel in the best way.
One of my favorite things? This book didn’t rely on tired omegaverse tropes. Reiyana’s family isn’t awful just for the sake of trauma. The drama felt grounded, not melodramatic, and the focus stayed on Reiyana’s journey of identity, choice, and inner strength as an Omega—not just who she ends up with.
And speaking of characters—I LOVED the side cast. They made the world feel full and lived-in. Also, the multi-POV structure (between Reiyana, Kaelendrin, and Alarik) added so much depth. You really get to see how each of them grows, and the romance develops at this perfect, slow-burn pace that feels earned.
ALSO - Kaelendrin, and Alarik? Totally swoon worthy!
I'll love you with every breath, every day I'm fortunate enough to have you, Sael.
My heart, my sword, my soul - whatever I am, with you.
💫 The vibe is very “cozy adventure” with romantic tension sprinkled throughout until—yes—the spice finally shows up. Though fair warning: it’s mostly in the last 30%, and the book ends pretty soon after the bond/relationship between the trio fully forms. I definitely would’ve loved more time with them post-relationship and more expansion on the wider world and story threads hinted at in the background. (Also: the epilogue?? I needed just a bit more closure there.)
Still, this was a solid 4-star read for me, and I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for whatever Enola M Douglas writes next.
Recommended if you’re into:
🌕 Omegaverse with a twist
💘 Why choose/poly romances
🏰 Found family + political intrigue
🎭 Secret identities
🗡️ Touch-her-and-die vibes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced