Unlikely Omega

Hunted Fae #1

by Mona Black

The prophesy speaks of Fae-blooded omegas, destined to bring back the lost Fae race. I just never thought the prophecy was about me. I am just an acolyte in the Temple, sworn to purity of mind and body. An average young woman with doubts and hopes and dreams. I'm certainly not a prophesied Fae omega who will help bring back the lost Fae race. Not me. And I'm definitely not the woman who will gather a clan of alphas and maybe betas and deltas around her and start popping out their babies. No way. I'm human, as human as they come. Just a girl, with all the imperfections and traumas to show for it. Abandoned at the Temple by my mother. Not sure I have a single real friend in the world. Lost. But when I awaken—as Fae-blood and yeah, as omega to boot—one thing is for the Temple doesn't want me. The Empire abhors me. Bringing back the Fae doesn't seem to be an option the Anchar Empire is willing to consider. Every Fae-blooded man or woman is to be eliminated to avoid any chance of the Lost Race returning. And I'm apparently the Empire's worst fear.   *UNLIKELY OMEGA is a full-length epic fantasy reverse harem omegaverse romance, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. This is book one of four, and it ends on a cliffhanger. There is a happily ever after at the end of the series. All four books have already been written. In this series, the heroine will assemble her harem throughout the first three books. It contains some love-hate adult themes, foul language and explicit content with darker elements, as well as MM relationships. For 18+ only. This book uses alternating points of view.*

Check inside the book for more content guidance.

Genres: Omegaverse, Fantasy, Fae, Romance, M M Romance, Dragons, Paranormal

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2023

About the author

Mona is a changeling living in the human world. She writes fantasy romance and reverse harem romance, and is an avid reader of fantasy and paranormal books. Read her fantasy romance series "Cursed Fae Kings" or her Reverse Harem paranormal romance series "Pandemonium Academy Royals". Follow for updates and new release announcements!

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're gonna list trigger warnings at the beginning of your book, don't half-ass it. The trigger warnings included slavery, reference to violence and genocide, some physical abuse, etc., but not... the sexual assault or threats of sexual assault? Wtf?

The first MMC we meet is Finn. I almost DNFed in the first 10-15% of the book when he said he wouldn't have stepped in while she was being beaten if he knew she was annoying, and then gaslighted her by calling her crazy for talking about the unnamed god when he knew what she was talking about. I should have stopped there, but I didn't. Finn then goes on to not really have a lot of redeemable moments. He later can't manage his stress so he yells and curses at Ariadne, the FMC, causing her to flee from him.

The next MMC we meet is Tajevi, who captures her, and threatens to "put her mouth to other use if she doesn't shut up." The FMC verbalizes her worry that he will take advantage of her. MC then says "Advantage? You think you have rights?" He continues to threaten her with SA, and with selling her. I finally actually DNFed around 55% when he starts to forcibly remove her clothes.

Couldn't go on. This shit should have been marked as dark romance, and there should've been triggers galore for SA-related content.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely Omega by Mona Black is a Fated Mates Omegaverse Reverse Harem Romance. It is also book one in the Hunted Fae Series, I will mention that this book does end on a cliffhanger. Mona Black is an amazing author who has a gift with worldbuilding and telling a story. What a great take on the Omega Verse. I read this whole book in a day, I didn’t put my kindle down at all. The plot and storyline was great and held my attention all the way until the end. I was so intrigued with how the book started it definitely gave me some kind of cult vibes. Absolutely loved the character of Finn and his internal battles. Ariadne I related to a bit because I never really feel like I fit. Plus her not having many friends just made my heart crack a bit. I absolutely dug the slow burn with a kind of an enemy to lovers feeling. I can’t wait to see what’s coming as the series progresses. Amazing start to a new series!

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Nadya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike the Bee book, this one is good for now.

[Crystal Jeffs · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, I actually bought it.

I have a book addiction. Seriously, I go through almost 300 books a year. There's no way I can afford to feed my habit, so I read almost exclusively KU authors. (Also, KU doesn't stay in my library, where my 13 yr old daughter might find it, lol!)

Enter "Unlikely Omega." I read the blurb, thought to myself; "love the premise, and it's actually paranormal omegaverse, which is harder to find than contemporary omegaverse; could be great if it's well done...Sure I'll try it." Then I looked at the "read me" button.

No! I have to buy it?!? I don't buy books! That's what KU is for!. I can't afford to buy at the rate I read! **Adds book to my TBR list (aka, "they want real money, so I'm never gonna actually read it cause I'm broke" list) and moves on!**

But it teased me. It taunted me from that list. *Huff* "Fine!" I thought, a few days later, "I'll just get the sample. It won't be that great, and then I can just forget about it."

But the sample was well written ... I actually really liked it... Oh! No!

So I spent a few hours debating with myself. Trying to talk myself out of it, etc. I ended up on the author's FB page, and would you look at that... There was a link for an ARC readers group...*hmmm. I could get them for the price of a review?! I'm so in!*

Six hours later I find myself haunting my FB account, (when I haven't used it in almost four years!) My application for the ARC group is still pending (found out today they're in Australia, so that's understandable.) "But I -needs- it, precious!"

So I do it, I click that purchase button! (Even though it's a permanent purchase, and not borrowed; my daughter may pick up my Kindle in the future and be scarred for life. "Mom reads what?!?")

And oh my gosh!! It's worth it!

Most omegaverse follows a very predictable pattern. "O meets A/many A's/B's; O perfumes/goes into heat; erotic content abounds; maybe some drama; HEA." (And yes, most of those elements were there.) But what most omegaverse is missing, what almost all RH is missing, is actual emotional and plot driven conflict. The guys always get along, they all live for her, even when she's unexpectedly omega she rolls with it easily. Most omegaverse is very one dimensional.

Not this omegaverse. There's a priest, struggling with vows of chastity; an army commander, struggling with the possibility of desertion and treason; a young woman, struggling with the loss of her "human" life. And woven through it all is a delightful banquet of personality clashes, action and sexy thoughts!

I can't wait to read the next one! (And if you're wondering, my next review will have to have an "ARC disclaimer," cause I'm finally "in" the group and I don't have to buy the rest! 🤑*Maniacal Cackle!*😈)

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read
I enjoyed the storyline.
We get some omegaverse, a bit of enimies to lovers, and prophecy elements.
There was some mystery, magic, drama, and just a bit of spice.
I really like Ariadne. She thought she was just your everyday human. However, fate had other plans and that's where her story begins.
I have mixed feelings on Finnen and Taj, so far. I I look forward to learning more about them.
I think the author did a great job getting our attention with book 1. I'm so ready for book 2, because I need answers!!

[Bent Letters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow at times, but not bad. There isn’t much romance in this first book. The priests hot and cold attitude towards his feeling with the lead got old quick. Same with the General. It didn’t feel realistic with how quick both came around to liking her fully. By that time, she’s kidnapped by another potential suitor, and that’s where the book ends. Looking forward to the next book, I hope it’s longer!

[Kat Schumacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get the story line, somethings I think they focused alot on. It just kept feeling like something was missing from the story until you got to the last chapter.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm…

I’m not sure what I think of this story so far. I mean, I’m interested enough to read the next book, but there is a whole lot of angst associated with everything. I do mean everything.

Ari discovers in the worst possible way that she’s an omega. Not just any omega, but a fae born omega. As omegas often do, she finds herself drawn to the scent of her mate, or mates as the case may be. The Fae are to be feared and destroyed.

Finn, the priest, is an enigma wrapped in contradiction, wrapped in the fiercest of denials. He took vows and he is determined to cling to them to his own detriment. I understand, but there’s a point at which you have to stop willfully ignoring what is right in front of you. He’s so insistent that the fae part of themselves shouldn’t be ignored, but turns around and ignores what his fae instincts are telling him. He’s also coming to grips with attraction to more than Ari.

Taj, is a Commander in the military. He too is fae born. We don’t know much about him other than he’s been in the military since he was young and he embraces his attraction to men and women.

There is another, that we know virtually nothing about and I have no doubt at all that there will be more. Should be interesting to see how the polyamorous dynamic plays out. Is everyone with everyone else? Or are some only with their omega?

The writing overall isn’t great, but it’s good enough to have me wanting to read the next book. Solid 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Christine Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ariadne believes she's a forgettable acolyte of the maiden goddess Artume, but when the unnamed god speaks to her, something awakens inside of her. There is a prophesy which predicts the return of the lost Fae race, and the Empire is starting to kill off those with Fae blood to prevent it. Ariadne starts to be awakened as an omega and is sent to the capitol for execution. With the help of a blind priest named Finnen, she escapes and is on the run. Except trying to hide and flee the kingdom isn't that easy as a perfuming omega.

This is the first book in the epic fantasy Omegaverse reverse harem romance series, Hunted Fae. There is great world building here. Lots of rich and dark history and lost knowledge. I really liked how the Alpha/Omega dynamic is based on Fae blood. It makes it feel that much more magical. Ariadne has a strength in her she doesn't even realize, and already she's growing as a character along with all the sudden changes of her omega awakening. Yes, there is a big cliffhanger, but there was a warning about it. Most series of this sort have that nowadays, so it wasn't a surprise. I'm eager to find out where the story will take us next.

[Nuha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8. I actually liked this a lot. The setting is quite nice, I think the world building was really interesting. I want to like this a lot more but I had trouble forgiving one of the MMCs for… threatening sexual assault?? Practically rape with the way he was talking?? I just don’t understand why that was necessary because he had a great personality and humour, gets along with Finn in a fun way etc. So that was completely uncalled for. I think there’s a million ways to give a character a ‘bad’ start and later redeem them, and this was not it… I get that he didn’t mean it but that’s still… weird. Somehow I still pushed through and I actually really liked his dynamics with the other MMC Finn and the FMC Ari. I think if you just remove that section I mentioned above entirely this would have easily been a solid 4 stars, even 4.5. I like that they all struggle to accept a fated bonding with their mates because of the life they’d been forced to live. I’m an even bigger fan of the MMCs meeting for the first time I think that’s a trope that needs to be used more often since MM relationship developments (whether platonic or romantic) are severely under-utilised in this sub genre.

[Troubleinfl (Dee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in a series by Mona Black certainly portends a wonderful reading experience! I enjoyed this book because of the underlying tensions and doubt of what it means to be Fae played against the fmc's attraction to 3 men, all of differing origins. The reverse harem is certainly an unlikely pairing of characters and I found that this difference makes the story that much more interesting.

The book is well edited and proofread. There is a cliffhanger. While there is attraction between MM, all sexual interactions are limited to kissing and a quick grope. Nothing scandalous here, at least not yet in the series. But, oh the sexual tension! It's ramping up as fast as the omega's heat is coming on and it's bound to combust soon!

This is a fun read involving several types of characters and it's written very well. I highly recommend it and I'm looking forward to starting book 2 now!

[Abbella DiNoto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliff hanger, hate them

Well I don’t like cliff hangers. I don’t know if I can read the next installment I do not like it when authors cheat readers by chopping up one book into multiple installments. It’s repugnant. It was a decent story. A bit boring in fact till the last 5 chapters then it finally got decent then abruptly ended. Many authors bait and switch let you read the fist installment free then charge you to complete. No thank you. You’ll never get me again. Goodbye ms. Mona black heart. I’d like to say it was nice while it lasted but it didn’t last long 5 chapters you could have reduced all the filler and noise and gotten your full book into one installment and the review would be different. I’m certain you paid for all your good reviews because no one likes to feel cheated tricking cheating readers into wasting several hours on your book only to abruptly end it to make them pay for next installment.. slimy

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so freaking good. For this book to essentially be not my kind of book (fantasy, slow burn), it was amazing. The story line flowed well and her meeting her mates outside of the priest didn't feel forced. There is a little action and suspense going on and it does end on a slight cliffhanger. The only part I am having trouble wrapping my head around is the "pre-heat" she is in for pretty much 3/4ths of the book. I've never read something with this concept before. Her ability to stave it off is what made this a very, very slow burn. I think as the series progresses that will change, but I promise you will not miss the spice. First time reading this author and I devoured this in a day. Can't wait to continue the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jean Dewsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely Omega-Hunted Fae Book 1.
I really enjoyed reading this storyline. The characters were each completely different yet strangely seem to work. Ariadne who has been abandoned at the Temple by her mother at a very young age, doesn't understand what is happening around her.

Finnan a new priest who has seemed to have taken an interest in protecting Ariadne from the cruelty of the others finds himself caught up in her ongoing problems.

Along the way they continue to find themselves in harms way.
An engaging read about the Fae blood and the history of the times.
Looking for to reading more.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow Start … however, it does get interesting!

Real slow start. However 30% into the book the story gets a little more actionable. Of cause this story’s protagonists romance is a slow burn as well … but what’s fascinating is this other spin on the Omega-Verse trope. I like it— normally we can agree the Alfa pact already being formed and then introducing the “Omega” to round it off, is more commonplace.
This time however, the pact is formed around the Omega, starting with the point of singularity— HER. We get to meet the Alfa characters as her story/journey unfolds.

Looking forward to book two.

Happy reading 💕
Bri.

[Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omegaaaa

Honestly, I really enjoyed this.

It was an enjoyable take on the Omegaverse trend, and it was an enjoyable take on the Fae. Some Greek Mythology nods.

The relationships were close to Insta, but still heart jerky! Maybe not almost instant or rather should I say they had an almost instant infinity for one another and they still did have relationship development, which is hard when you have the theme of this plot going.

Loved all of the characters. The sexual tension was top-tier.
Overall, I would say very slow burn, so 🌶️ .

I’m enjoying the world building that was set up and look forward to hopefully seeing the story progress now that everything is laid out.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This was a little weird, but not bad. We follow our main character who has been raised in a church setting - training to be an acolyte for her goddess. The fae were hunted to death a while ago, and having magic or fae features (such as being an alpha or omega) can be punishable by death.

There was some interesting characters and character development in this, and I was definitely curious how and where things were going. I was particularly curious about the world - it's very dystopian but also fantasy. It ended on a cliffhanger, so we will see where things go from here. Also, potentially some queer relationships developing between some of the alphas.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely Omega started off slowly which I kinda understood because it gave us a bit of background to the life Adriadne (FMC) had in the Temple that she lived and worked at. Abusive Priests and a hostile environment ended up being all dangerous for Adriadne. Leading to escaping one bad situation after another in this book and tagging along with grumpy Priest - Finn who was just doing his level best to be obnoxious. Still this keep me on my toes and I genuinely liked Adriadne. I'm curious to see what will happen next after how this book ended. It was a great start to this series.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow Burn, But So Good…

This story develops and builds such tension, both dramatic and sexual, that you feel like you’re about to explode, and then… ahhhhh, that ending! Ariadne is strong and sarcastic - which I loved, Finn has is both hot and cold - so angsty, and Taj is still a bit of an unknown, but these three just “smell” so good together! I can’t wait to see what’s next in “Unlikely Alphas”.

[Kimberli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

I realize that it's the first book in the series and the plot is being set up. I'm having a hard time getting into it though. I don't really care about the FMC. She seems kind of whiney and weak. The guys are ok, but even they don't have redeeming qualities right now. I'll read the next book to see if it gets more interesting. Right now I'm a bit bored because nothing much is happening.

[Books2lovenow · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Book

This is a series so it does end in a cliffhanger. There is MM and FM in this book. It's a really good book far more well rounded than a lot of Omega books. Ari, Taj, and Ari are just starting to open up to what they are. The book is very well written. There's enough conflict and romantic feelings to pull the story forward in a very strong way. The series is finished which helps for cliffhangers. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Bianca Pluym · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and certainly well told story.
This world is ruled by an empire, following a long ago war with the Fae.
The Fae have since become extinct, but a prophecy scares the people.
As a result, anyone suspected of having Fae blood is hanged or burned at the stake.
Ariadne is accused of having Fae blood when it turns out she is an omega.
Finn, the priest who stands up for her, is also captured and sent to the Capital to be hanged.

[Allison Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh…

Very basic world building. Very brief character histories and personality descriptions. Everything just felt a little too instant. Lots of modern type wording and dialogue in a world that feels distinctly not modern in the rest of its description. No surprised plot wise. You can see everything coming a mile away. Will not continue with this series. The characters and plot just aren’t compelling enough.

[Ceceyalllater · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATE THIS UPPPPP NOW I THOUGHT THIS WAS GONNA BE A CRINGY BASIC OMEGA VERSE BOOK BUT BOY WAS I WRONG. Like there is so much more to this book than what the synopsis was giving. I realized that books where there's high stakes and literally one wrong move can end up with the characters dying or captured makes me SOOOO nervous😭 Phenomenalllll book I'm about to finish this series rn! Would def recommend!!!!

[Brier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very intrigued with the premise of this series. I enjoy a good Omegaverse book.

This book was very slow for me. There is a ton of world-building here and that makes it very easy to picture everything.

I can not imagine how it would have been to have been an omega in this universe. Especially if you are unaware.

Will be reading the next book.

[Teri Ruscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona Black
Unlikely Omega: a Fated Mates Omegaverse Reverse Harem Epic Fantasy Romance (Hunted Fae Book 1)
Great world building!
This book is early on in this story, however, the world building is so descriptive! I can see everything so clearly in my head! Awesome!
I received a free copy of this book (DS Review group) and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tlise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must have picked up a free copy as it was in my library and decided to give it a try.
I am not entirely sure how I feel about it. I didn't dislike it. I would have carried on if it had been on KU. But I wasn't interested enough to purchase it. The story was promising but I was more impressed by Finn and his resolve rather than the MC.

[Evelyn Goughnour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow awesome book!

The young lady has been an apprentice in the temple since a small child and now she is an adult. She has a sharpened sense of smell. She thinks she is human until she stars to bleed. She finds out she’s an omega and the high priestess and high priest want to kill her.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Set Up

Such a great set up in this world! It’s a unique take on the omegaverse. The characters are compelling and that was one hec of a way to end the first book..especially when I don’t see a release for the next! Can’t wait!

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.0

What I liked most was the slow addition to her harem. I always have liked that, so it’s great to read one like this again.

The back and forth of the men was annoying. Whiplash doesn’t even cover it, but it was easily ignored for the sake of the story.