Scan barcode
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Technically 4 books in and I still think this is the best ABO series out there. It’s not fluffy nor sugary sweet. This has gravitas and complexity, and this latest installment continues to show the inner workings of this dystopian society, how its rules and laws which were designed to spur the survival of humanity, now wreaks havoc as it seeks to control and manipulate reproduction despite population stabilization.
This is the story about Janus, Xan’s alpha cousin from [b:Alpha Heat|40103645|Alpha Heat (Heat of Love #2)|Leta Blake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526064686l/40103645._SY75_.jpg|62166621], who we all loved to hate. He’s been through some very trying health problems and has turned over a new leaf. Janus is determined to be a better man, and the first step towards that transformation is becoming a nurse and then ultimately, a doctor. As he does his clinical rotations far removed from the city in the rural mountaintops, Janus gets a shocking education about the poor people who live there. What he also doesn’t expect is to come across a pregnant omega at the boarding house where he’s staying, making things enticingly complicated.
Kerry is the omega of Wilbet Munhundy, an even worse character from previous books that we all wanted to get a proper comeuppance. Munhundy’s sadistic ways have caught up to him and he’s currently in prison, but Kerry is far from free. His in-laws have exerted their control over his heats and his body, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy that Kerry sadly, has no say in.
When close approximation and the natural pull that an Alpha and an Omega will inevitably have come to a head, both Janus and Kerry struggle with what’s right, what feels natural, and what's expected and mandated from them. This was angsty goodness as one man owns up to his past actions and determinedly sets forth on a new path, as another man accepts his mistaken preconceived notions as to how he wanted his life to play out and bravely faces the consequences.
Beware a lot of personal internal despair on both sides. There’s also many mentions of rape, abuse, and a graphic attempt at an abortion. I fretted about how Janus and Kerry could find their impossibly happily ever after and thankfully, Blake delivers on them finally achieving peace and well deserved love. Be reassured that the explicit deliciousness of ABO dynamics aren’t skirted nor shorted especially KNOTTING, which is always the penultimate of this sort of pairing.
Again, Blake still continues to astound and impress me with this intricately detailed ABO society that's fascinating in all its nuance. If you love ABO, don’t mind mpreg, and you want a thought provoking romance with many layers, please start with [b:Slow Heat|34233780|Slow Heat (Heat of Love, #1)|Leta Blake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486911083l/34233780._SY75_.jpg|55290589]. You won’t regret it.
Audio highly recommended
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Biology. Instinct. Urges. Pheromones.
Technically 4 books in and I still think this is the best ABO series out there. It’s not fluffy nor sugary sweet. This has gravitas and complexity, and this latest installment continues to show the inner workings of this dystopian society, how its rules and laws which were designed to spur the survival of humanity, now wreaks havoc as it seeks to control and manipulate reproduction despite population stabilization.
This is the story about Janus, Xan’s alpha cousin from [b:Alpha Heat|40103645|Alpha Heat (Heat of Love #2)|Leta Blake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526064686l/40103645._SY75_.jpg|62166621], who we all loved to hate. He’s been through some very trying health problems and has turned over a new leaf. Janus is determined to be a better man, and the first step towards that transformation is becoming a nurse and then ultimately, a doctor. As he does his clinical rotations far removed from the city in the rural mountaintops, Janus gets a shocking education about the poor people who live there. What he also doesn’t expect is to come across a pregnant omega at the boarding house where he’s staying, making things enticingly complicated.
Kerry is the omega of Wilbet Munhundy, an even worse character from previous books that we all wanted to get a proper comeuppance. Munhundy’s sadistic ways have caught up to him and he’s currently in prison, but Kerry is far from free. His in-laws have exerted their control over his heats and his body, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy that Kerry sadly, has no say in.
When close approximation and the natural pull that an Alpha and an Omega will inevitably have come to a head, both Janus and Kerry struggle with what’s right, what feels natural, and what's expected and mandated from them. This was angsty goodness as one man owns up to his past actions and determinedly sets forth on a new path, as another man accepts his mistaken preconceived notions as to how he wanted his life to play out and bravely faces the consequences.
Beware a lot of personal internal despair on both sides. There’s also many mentions of rape, abuse, and a graphic attempt at an abortion. I fretted about how Janus and Kerry could find their impossibly happily ever after and thankfully, Blake delivers on them finally achieving peace and well deserved love. Be reassured that the explicit deliciousness of ABO dynamics aren’t skirted nor shorted especially KNOTTING, which is always the penultimate of this sort of pairing.
Again, Blake still continues to astound and impress me with this intricately detailed ABO society that's fascinating in all its nuance. If you love ABO, don’t mind mpreg, and you want a thought provoking romance with many layers, please start with [b:Slow Heat|34233780|Slow Heat (Heat of Love, #1)|Leta Blake|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486911083l/34233780._SY75_.jpg|55290589]. You won’t regret it.
Audio highly recommended
hellishlyawkward's review
3.0
Quite long, but evenly paced throughout.
That Janus didn’t immediately use his wealthy/family connections to attempt to help Kerry out of his predicament seemed implausible and was only to draw the story out for longer. Wish Kerry’s abusive alpha and in-laws got more punishment.
Not groundbreaking but was a pleasant enough read.
Not groundbreaking but was a pleasant enough read.
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
brutal world
While this didn’t hold my attention as much as the previous two books, I still enjoyed it. Omegas have it rough in this world and I ached for Kerry. I don’t remember Janus well from book 2 other than I didn’t like him much; he is completely reformed in this one. Wilbert’s pater was awful and his father not much better.
There’s a very bittersweet moment at the end that had tears spilling but they got their HEA
While this didn’t hold my attention as much as the previous two books, I still enjoyed it. Omegas have it rough in this world and I ached for Kerry. I don’t remember Janus well from book 2 other than I didn’t like him much; he is completely reformed in this one. Wilbert’s pater was awful and his father not much better.
There’s a very bittersweet moment at the end that had tears spilling but they got their HEA
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
This book was equally heartbreaking and hopeful. Kerry was such a sweetheart who didn't deserve the hell that he has been through. Jannis deserved his second chance at love after a life of redemption. They were perfect for each other and this story of second chances really had a deeper thread of equal rights and the right to chose, something we're still fighting with today.
thosemedalingkidsss's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars - I adored Kerry in this, and grew to appreciate Janus. The emotional turmoil was extra intense in this story, but it made the HEA that much sweeter. I am a sucker for a small cabin in the woods vibe as well.
✨berries✨and✨cream✨
✨berries✨and✨cream✨
friends2lovers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Medical content
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, and Domestic abuse
spuki's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Sexual assault
mrnnprsns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.25
boyanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0