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allyreadsromance's review
5.0
I loved each one of these stories!!! It was a great introduction to the Omegaverse world or a great addition to someone who already loves this genre!!!
Full Review to Come about each of these fabulously scandalous, steamy, fated mates!!!
Full Review to Come about each of these fabulously scandalous, steamy, fated mates!!!
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
This is an anthology of quicker reads, ranging form short story to novella length. I am very hard to please when reading stories of this type, as my enjoyment comes from connecting with the characters and feeling their emotions. Word count constraints can leave me with a feeling that the story could have just been so much more. So, rather than focus on what was lacking (because I WILL feel that for 99% of short reads) I'm looking for the good, highlighting the positive, since I know I won't ever feel the same about a short story/novella as I do a novel.
Fight For Her by Raevyn London
3 stars - Liked it.
This is a pleasant, sweet read of an alpha rescuing his mate, and himself, from the slave arena. The conflict is easily resolved, but then this is a short story in an anthology, so there isn’t the time to develop a full depth story. I felt we got to know Ander’s really well, maybe more so than Kasi, both main characters were likeable and definitely had personality.
I found the authors writing voice easy to get along with, it had a nice tone and flow. The story was entertaining, easy to read and I enjoyed it – so job done.
Unexpected Gift by Leann Ryan
3.5 stars - Definitely liked it.
This was a wonderful twist on the usual Alpha-omega story. I really enjoyed this new take on the dynamic, the emotions portrayed and the integrity of Scarlett. Other than the circumstances in which they met, this is one of the most consensual omegaverse stories I have read.
It was a wonderful, warm and light tale perfect to lift the heart and left me wishing it was a full length story. I'd love to have spent more time with this couple.
The Omega Spy by VT Bonds
4 stars - Really liked it.
This is a darker omegaverse, we don’t experience too much of the non-con directly but it does occur in ‘present’ time. This is more akin to the M/f omegaverse stories many of us are more familiar with. It found this to be a really well thought through and nicely plotted story. There was enough world building to draw me in, and I felt as though I knew both characters. Given the limited ‘time’ of a short story, the author managed to pack a LOT in to this. So much so that I would LOVE to see this expanded into a full length story at some point in the future.
Eli’s Hellcat by Merel Pierce
5 stars - It was amazing.
Another really great story, this focused on three individuals, building their characters and connection to each other. The plot was strong, but pared down to allow for the emotion and depth of the story. Merel Pierce writes strong omegaverse stories, this had dark themes, though within the story itself there is nothing that would require a trigger warning.
Every word, deed and action built into knowing and understanding the characters in this story, particularly Lorin and Eli. I would have loved to have spent more time in Magda's head - I just knew there was so much more to her story than we heard.
It took a conversation with the amazing [a:E.J. Frost|8191198|E.J. Frost|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586987037p2/8191198.jpg][ai:E.J. Frost|8191198|E.J. Frost|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586987037p2/8191198.jpg] to realise the very subtle themes that ran through this. First was the fact that these alpha's aren't high and mighty but are just everyday guys, #refreshingchange. Second was how limited their 'space' was, from a hot and heavy moment next to the slave cages, to a tiny apartment and a crowded slave carrier, this all reinforced how little true freedom any of them had. Lorin and Eli were almost as much slaves as Magda, except their subjugation came in the form of societal rules, suppressing laws and the real threat of losing what little freedom they enjoyed. Awesome story.
Alpha’s Pet by Emma Mountford
3.5 stars - Definitely liked it.
I wish this story had been a little bit longer, there was a lot of plot to get through and I just needed a little more time on them forming a bond/connection. It’s quite a poignant story and has quite an open to interpretation ending, which won't be for some. I liked Rayne and Elland, I felt as though I got to know them as they are in the now, and the author certainly wrote a story that caught and held my attention.
Proper Behaviour by Isoellen
3 stars - Liked it.
The story of Druku and Niddie was quick and sweet, leaving me wanting to know more about their world. The pace was good and the story flowed nicely. If this was extended to a novella I could see plenty of opportunities for extra scenes that would add extra depth, more understanding and smoother continuity to the story, creating a really great read. However this is still a steamy, entertaining and nicely written story.
An Alpha for Dahlia by L.P. Dillon
3 stars - Liked it.
Dahlia and Bain's story is very sweet and cute. The plot was really interesting and had plenty of great ideas, though some of them had to be a little rushed in order to fit it all in. This is another story that I could picture being extended into at least a novella, if not a full length story. There was an element of tell, not show, about this story, I particularly felt this more towards the end.
My preference is for emotions/feelings etc to be demonstrated through description rather than statement eg "a warmth spread through my body, nerves endings firing, desire coursing through my veins" rather than "he was really attractive". One puts me in a characters head, the other feels like a script being narrated. That's a personal preference though, and as far as characters and storylines go I did enjoy this.
Fight For Her by Raevyn London
3 stars - Liked it.
This is a pleasant, sweet read of an alpha rescuing his mate, and himself, from the slave arena. The conflict is easily resolved, but then this is a short story in an anthology, so there isn’t the time to develop a full depth story. I felt we got to know Ander’s really well, maybe more so than Kasi, both main characters were likeable and definitely had personality.
I found the authors writing voice easy to get along with, it had a nice tone and flow. The story was entertaining, easy to read and I enjoyed it – so job done.
Unexpected Gift by Leann Ryan
3.5 stars - Definitely liked it.
This was a wonderful twist on the usual Alpha-omega story. I really enjoyed this new take on the dynamic, the emotions portrayed and the integrity of Scarlett. Other than the circumstances in which they met, this is one of the most consensual omegaverse stories I have read.
It was a wonderful, warm and light tale perfect to lift the heart and left me wishing it was a full length story. I'd love to have spent more time with this couple.
The Omega Spy by VT Bonds
4 stars - Really liked it.
This is a darker omegaverse, we don’t experience too much of the non-con directly but it does occur in ‘present’ time. This is more akin to the M/f omegaverse stories many of us are more familiar with. It found this to be a really well thought through and nicely plotted story. There was enough world building to draw me in, and I felt as though I knew both characters. Given the limited ‘time’ of a short story, the author managed to pack a LOT in to this. So much so that I would LOVE to see this expanded into a full length story at some point in the future.
Eli’s Hellcat by Merel Pierce
5 stars - It was amazing.
Another really great story, this focused on three individuals, building their characters and connection to each other. The plot was strong, but pared down to allow for the emotion and depth of the story. Merel Pierce writes strong omegaverse stories, this had dark themes, though within the story itself there is nothing that would require a trigger warning.
Every word, deed and action built into knowing and understanding the characters in this story, particularly Lorin and Eli. I would have loved to have spent more time in Magda's head - I just knew there was so much more to her story than we heard.
It took a conversation with the amazing [a:E.J. Frost|8191198|E.J. Frost|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586987037p2/8191198.jpg][ai:E.J. Frost|8191198|E.J. Frost|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586987037p2/8191198.jpg] to realise the very subtle themes that ran through this. First was the fact that these alpha's aren't high and mighty but are just everyday guys, #refreshingchange. Second was how limited their 'space' was, from a hot and heavy moment next to the slave cages, to a tiny apartment and a crowded slave carrier, this all reinforced how little true freedom any of them had. Lorin and Eli were almost as much slaves as Magda, except their subjugation came in the form of societal rules, suppressing laws and the real threat of losing what little freedom they enjoyed. Awesome story.
Alpha’s Pet by Emma Mountford
3.5 stars - Definitely liked it.
I wish this story had been a little bit longer, there was a lot of plot to get through and I just needed a little more time on them forming a bond/connection. It’s quite a poignant story and has quite an open to interpretation ending, which won't be for some. I liked Rayne and Elland, I felt as though I got to know them as they are in the now, and the author certainly wrote a story that caught and held my attention.
Proper Behaviour by Isoellen
3 stars - Liked it.
The story of Druku and Niddie was quick and sweet, leaving me wanting to know more about their world. The pace was good and the story flowed nicely. If this was extended to a novella I could see plenty of opportunities for extra scenes that would add extra depth, more understanding and smoother continuity to the story, creating a really great read. However this is still a steamy, entertaining and nicely written story.
An Alpha for Dahlia by L.P. Dillon
3 stars - Liked it.
Dahlia and Bain's story is very sweet and cute. The plot was really interesting and had plenty of great ideas, though some of them had to be a little rushed in order to fit it all in. This is another story that I could picture being extended into at least a novella, if not a full length story. There was an element of tell, not show, about this story, I particularly felt this more towards the end.
My preference is for emotions/feelings etc to be demonstrated through description rather than statement eg "a warmth spread through my body, nerves endings firing, desire coursing through my veins" rather than "he was really attractive". One puts me in a characters head, the other feels like a script being narrated. That's a personal preference though, and as far as characters and storylines go I did enjoy this.
inniebin's review
5.0
I enjoyed them!
I absolutely loved this anthology! Some were more to my liking than others, but I think each one brought something special. I also love finding new authors, and this anthology introduced me to a couple I have never come across. Extra bonus for that! :D
I hope we get more!!
I absolutely loved this anthology! Some were more to my liking than others, but I think each one brought something special. I also love finding new authors, and this anthology introduced me to a couple I have never come across. Extra bonus for that! :D
I hope we get more!!
a__aly's review
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
atheresa's review
2.0
2 stars - Fight For Her - Sweet, undeveloped.
skipped - Unexpected Gift
skipped - The Omega Spy
4 stars - Elli's Hellcat - MMF
2 stars - Alpha's Pet - Cliffhanger
4 stars - Proper Behavior
1 star - An Alpha for Dahlia - Juvenile, plot holes.
skipped - Unexpected Gift
skipped - The Omega Spy
4 stars - Elli's Hellcat - MMF
2 stars - Alpha's Pet - Cliffhanger
4 stars - Proper Behavior
1 star - An Alpha for Dahlia - Juvenile, plot holes.
averagegal's review
I only made it through two stories in full: "Unexpected Gift" and "Eli's Hellcat". I liked the first one and would give it 3.5 stars. The rest of the stories were too dark for me. That is not a strike against them, though; that's why I didn't put an overall rating. I'm sure this anthology would be great for longtime fans of omegaverse stories.
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