Lyra Mooncrest swore she’d never forgive Theron Shadowmane—the wolf shifter who shattered her soul and left her bleeding.
Now, with the Harvest Ritual looming, she’s forced into enemy territory, tasked with uncovering ancient magic that could save her dying pack.
The catch? She must work alongside the very man who once crushed her…and who would see her fall again.
The ritual is no sacred tradition—it’s a blood-soaked battleground. Rivals lurk in every shadow, and Theron stands at the front of the line, ready to carve out her failure with a smile.
If Lyra can’t outfight them, outwit them, and outlast her own broken heart, the Mooncrest line will die with her.
Because in this game of survival, mercy is a weakness.
And when the ritual begins, there’s only one
HUNT OR BE HUNTED. EITHER WAY, SOMEONE BLEEDS.
The Onyx Covenant is a STANDALONE paranormal fantasy romance filled with deadly magic, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a bond that neither fate nor fury can break.
Mila Young tackles everything with the zeal and bravado of the fairytale heroes she grew up reading about. She slays monsters, real and imaginary, like there's no tomorrow. By day she rocks a keyboard as a marketing extraordinaire. At night she battles with her mighty pen-sword, creating fairytale retellings, and sexy ever after tales.
MF Paranormal Wolf Shifters Enemies To Lovers Second Chance Alpha/Omega D€adly Competition
The Onyx Covenant is a standalone romance in the Lunaterra Chronicles shared world.
I absolutely loved this book. Lyra and Theron were a thrill to read. Their heated attraction and us-against-the-world chemistry made this an unputdownable read.
After a misunderstanding that crushed their young love, the two are forced together for a Hunger Games style competition. Enemies are out to make sure they don’t succeed. Will their allies remain true (the secondary characters were amazing)?
With so much stacked against them, can the duo prove victorious and make a meaningful change in their world.
"I would apologise for every star in the sky, and all the ones we can't even see, if it would earn your forgiveness."
This book drew me in so quickly that by the ending of the Prologue I was so invested in the FMC (Lyra) that I was choking up, because that beginning... my heart broke for her!
This action packed story had me so hooked, and so actively invested in the characters and their wellbeing that I read it start to finish in a day!
The gasp that came out of me when that bracelet went on...
The MMC Tharion had a bit of a rough time in the beginning with the miscommunication trop coming in strong first up, and we only got Lyra's side of the story so we were clearly meant to think that he was a 🍆
There is literally not much that I can say about this one the won't be a spoiler for the story, but is was fast paced, high stakes, slow burn (spice doesn't start until about half way through) romantasy with wolf shifters, a revolution against corrupt authority and deadly trials thrown in the mix! Definitely a recommended read, Mila has done it again!!!
Tropes: Dual POV, Virgin FMC, Enemies to lovers (then back to enemies, then back to lovers), second chance romance, forced proximity, slow burn (spice from half way through), forbidden love, soulmates, secret romance, who did this to you, grumpy/sunshine, love at first sight, royalty romance, fated mates, reunited lovers, chosen one, quest for a magical object, good vs evil, magical creatures, first love, rebellion against authority, found family, chosen family vs blood family, underdog story, shapeshifters, tournament/competition, deadly trials, government conspiracy, sentient nature, ancient evil awakens, great side characters
Triggers: abandonment, anxiety, arranged/forced marriage, blood, bodily fluids, bones, bullying, classism, control, death, death of a loved one (not on page) domestic abuse, drowning, emotional abuse, family conflict, fear, fighting, genocide, graphic death, hate crimes, kidnapping, mental abuse, nightmares, nudity, pain, physical abuse, political conflict, pregnancy, screaming, stabbing, threats, torture, violence, war weapons, attempted murder
A wolf shifter version of Romeo and Juliet? Sign me up! I was hooked on this story nearly from the moment it opened. The chemistry between Lyra and Theron blazed from the page whether they were fighting or falling back in love. I adored seeing Lyra prove her incredible capabilities to everybody watching. And the quiet, steady way Theron loved and supported her through it all was simply swoon-worthy. Now that I'm finished reading, I kind of wish it weren’t over already. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Enjoy the rejected mates/second chance scenario; loved the dynamic between Lyra and Theron. Like the forbidden aspect with them being part of opposing sides. A bit of danger and fun, and you have an entertaining story! Enjoyed this shifter romance!
I really wanted to like this book and for the most part I did the relationship between Lyra and Theron was intense and I loved the friendships. However, the politics and whole trial and covenant was a bit confusing for me because honestly it just seemed all over the place. They kept saying how scared the Onyx Covenant was, but the entire time Theron’s father, Magnus, was corrupting the system for decades and it was like an open secret. Magnus murdered his wife and daughter but everyone was either too scared or didn’t care and those that did have the power to change it did nothing. That is why Theron wanted to win the Onyx Covenant to avenge his mother and sister and free everyone and give them a better life.
To be fair I was intrigued by this book because of instagram post showing a bit of second chance romance and some groveling. Theron did mess up with Lyra, not as much as I was lead to believe and honestly I think Lyra was a bit immature in the way she handled the situation; also we are never told their ages. However, I feel like the romance part of the book was taken care pretty quickly and the rest of the book followed the politics and covenant trials which again where like Alice and Wonderland and Hunger Games had a baby; for example, they would say you have the moon has risen, but then say you will never be able to truly know time once the trials begin…so which is it? Either way it seems everyone knew to be on time and what that time was until the final trial that is.
Theron and Lyra were actually quite fun to read, Lyra had no chance against Theron and to be honest she didn’t try, that why I say she lack maturity. As for Theron, although I commend his efforts to win back his woman after he messed up, he basically kidnapped and her made her join a death race without having the knowledge that she could defend herself; that was stupid, selfish and dangerous. I would have been more on Lyra’s side if she had made some actual points or stood her ground at any time against Theron, but she crumbled liked a cookie every time. Let me make it clear he did not cheat and never planned on cheating on her; however, he did not confide in his woman his plan and this went badly. Now a year went by and she still refuses to hear what happened or have a conversation with him but gets jealous when it’s implied he “dated” other women or they talk about him. Theron was definitely the more mature of the two but not the levelheaded one; they complimented each other well when they got along. Thankfully, after much time and talking with friends Lyra finally stops acting like a brat and listens to Theron and his plans. Unfortunately, the listening issue Lyra has lasts the entire book, but she means well.
All in all it was a decent read, but in my opinion it was more of adventure read less of romance. Also, I would say the opening line of the synopsis of this book is misleading because he never rejected her or her heart, in fact, I would say Lyra rejected him due to the miscommunication on his part.
Lastly, what I got a kick out of was the reveal of the evil Magnus’ doings to the people…even though they all knew it…and they were still shocked and horrified!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Slow burn romance that's enjoyable to read but not "jump for joy special"
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶
This is a slow burn paranormal romance book (wolves), I enjoyed reading it but I didn't find it anything special.
FMC is a priestess in training. In the beginning, she starts as being heartbroken by her first love. She is then made to join him in an ancient type of trial to find a winner, who will rule for the next 10 years over the 2 packs.
MMC is the next Alpha in waiting, after his father, who is the current Alpha-hole of his pack - enemy pack to the FMC. He does everything he can to win back his love, including going against tradition and current "laws."
The plot was good, but nothing stood out as spectacular. I thought the ending for the main female enemy was a bit of a whitewash and strange - too nealty wrapped in a bow, maybe a rushed ending for them?? The ending for the male enemy was fitting but expected. There were parts of the story that were interesting but they came in small bursts. There's 2 spicy scenes, one midway and the other towards the end.
I enjoyed more the secondary MC, Kieron - MMC's BF. I felt his presence, sarcasm and comedic approach saved the book from getting boring. Personally, he would have made the better MMC.
If you enjoy simple wolf romance books you'd probably enjoy this book. But don't expect typical "fated mates" as it appears, that is not a thing in this world. There's no magic binding people or holding them together. They are more human-like relationships and chosen.
I do usually enjoy Mila Young's books and would still recommend her as an author but this specific book is not one her bests.
Onyx Covenant is a gripping dark fantasy romance that sinks its claws into you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Mila Young weaves a heart-pounding tale of betrayal, redemption, and love set against the backdrop of a brutal magical competition.
Lyra Mooncrest is a fierce, resilient heroine forced into a deadly trial orchestrated by none other than Theron Shadowmane—the brooding alpha who once broke her heart. Their fated bond, simmering enemies-to-lovers tension, and emotional baggage create a magnetic push-and-pull that fuels every interaction. The world-building is immersive, the stakes are sky-high, and the history between the rival wolf factions adds depth to the action-packed plot. The Onyx Covenant games, held once a decade to decide leadership between the Elios and Umbra wolves, become the ultimate battleground for love, power, and legacy.
Theron’s hidden vulnerability and unwavering determination to win Lyra back make him impossible to resist, while Lyra’s journey of healing and trust is both raw and empowering. With well-developed side characters and emotionally charged scenes, this book delivers on every level.
For anyone who loves a good story keep an eye on the best friends of the the main characters - the secondary plot development is sensational and really adds to the emotions of the story.
This is part of a World Series with a number of different authors and I have read one of the others. Perfect for fans of second-chance romance, slow-burn tension, and dark fantasy politics, Onyx Covenant is a standout in its shared universe—and a must-read for lovers of high-stakes paranormal romance.
Firstly, this review is just my own personal opinion. Your opinion may differ, and that's okay.
This book is part of a series written by different authors. I have read a couple of them already, and enjoyed them. Each book is subtly mentioned in the others, and although reading order may make a small difference, I personally don't feel like I missed anything reading them out of order. I also don't feel you would miss anything too much if you missed any of the series. They are each their own story in the same world.
Now I have read other stuff by Mila Young (I do enjoy her shifter books/RH books) so was looking forward to this one.
It is NOT a Reverse Harem/Why Choose - it is an Enemies to Lovers (one each FMC and MMC). The FMC is 19 but she exudes a maturity I found quite refreshing - as a much maturer reader, I tend not to enjoy YA books and this story did not give that feel at all.
I would put the spiciness at a 1½ out of 5. There are two smexy scenes, quite lengthy (giggity), and well written.
Initially, I struggled to get into the story but after about 20% in, I could not put it down until I finished it. ALL the characters are extremely well written, the good, the bad and the ugly. I especially love both Keiran and Aria (the best buds for each main char), and especially the bonus Aria story at the end of the book.
At 444 pages, this book is twice the size of most of the books in this series, and to be fair, of most of the books Mila has written in other series.
Onyx Covenant by Mila Young had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. Lyra and Theron’s story is everything I love in a dark fantasy romance—complicated pasts, forced proximity, betrayal, and slow-burning tension that just simmers under every interaction. Lyra is such a fierce and resilient heroine. My heart ached for her, especially knowing she’s already been heartbroken by Theron once before. So to see her thrust into a brutal trial—one that he orchestrated—was heartbreaking and maddening and absolutely gripping. The emotional push and pull between them was unreal. You can feel the history, the unresolved pain, the anger… and that undeniable pull that neither of them can fully escape. Theron is broody, powerful, and maddeningly unreadable at times—but you also get glimpses of his vulnerability and what he still feels for Lyra, even if he tries to bury it. Every scene between them felt like it carried so much weight—like at any second, everything could explode. Add in their two ride or dies and the story becomes complete perfection! Mila Young has a gift for weaving emotional depth with dark fantasy elements, and this book proves it. The world is dangerous and mysterious, the plot moves fast, and the stakes are high. If you love second-chance romance mixed with enemies-to-lovers tension and high-stakes fantasy, Onyx Covenant is a must-read. This is part of a shared world by several authors so please read the others. Every story in the series is a stand alone but why deny yourself a chance to dive into another amazing author's work.
I absolutely loved this story. A mix between the hunger games and the maze runner and a little bit of forbidden love. With a broken heart, lyra wants to be more than just a priestess in training, two packs that are swarn ememy.The Elios and the Umbra pack But then fate has other ideas and Theron and Lyra are forst to work together in the Harvest ritual. The tention was of the charts as they tried to deny how they felt, and Theron definitely had to work hard to get Lyra to trust him agian. There's definitely plenty of challenges along the way, and I loved how Lyra just got stronger and more confident throughout the story. There's definitely elements that made me laugh, and I loved the playful side of Theron that you don't normally get to see. there's amazing characters like Aria and kirean who just made me laugh all the more and had their backs when they needed it. Especially when there's a maze that pulses with life and constantly changing as if it's alive. There's more than just deadly creatures that you have to watch your back with. This is not just a test of strength but a test of skill and knowledge. They must battle their way through the maze and race against time to clame the onyx stone and put things right, and bring peace to their people. It was also gripping towards the end that I was almost speechless but also glad things turned out ok. and I loved the end seeing things as it should be and a proper swoon worthy ending, which made it all worthwhile.
There is so much story, action, and fun and betrayal packed into this book. It is an enemies to lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and a little bit of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire movie. Lyra is a priestess in training boxed into her roll as the precious daughter of the pack Alpha. Theron is the fierce son of the ruthless, power hunger alpha of the rival pack. Lyra faces having to put ingrained prejudices aside and deciding if she can forget betrayals of the heart by Theron and work together for survival. They must decide to work together and have the courage to change their power hierarchy facing the evil that is Theorn's father.
This story was a fun read and the pace was great. The different obstacles the couple and their friends encounter are interesting and had a great time picturing them in my mind. I hope an audiobook comes out for this book because I would love to listen to it.
There are just a few small things that I did not like in the book, but they are minor opinions. For, example, I feel like Theorn's father having some much power of over the council would have found more ways to tamper with the trials. The distance traveled in the first part of the trial seemed to be a lot closer than they made it seem originally. It is like the the distance they were claiming it seemed did not fit with how quick they made it to the peaks.
I was hooked from the little teaser blurb and was lucky enough to snag an ARC. I adored this book. The world building in this book alone was truly amazing. So much was explained clearly and the history was put into prospective in a shorter book. This is the story about Theron and Lyra. They are wolf shifters from enemy clans. They meet by accident and keep their relationship a secret until one day Lyra sees something she can't unsee and rejects Theron. They both suffer for a year, while Theron prepares for the Harvest Ritual and Lyra tries to forget him and get stronger. She trains in secret with her bestie Aria. At a wedding ceremony Theron claims Lyra as his partner for the ritual and somehow even though they are enemy clans and you can only choose a mate from your own clan, the Onyx Covenant allows this choosing. Through the trials Theron works to show Lyra he is sorry and he is worthy. He apologizes, protects her, they save each other and realize they can only trust eachother. Forces are working against them at all turns and his clan is trying to kill Lyra. Kieran and Aria are their respective besties and they are the BEST. Theron and Lyra change the future of the clans for the better, and as they discover, change it to the way things were before corruption. Amazing story of mates, enemies to lovers, trials, violence, love, trust, and protection. A must read!!!
The Onyx Covenant is one of the most action packed books I've read this year. Lyra and Theron are fated mates, but one mistake and Lyra runs away from Theron for over a year, making herself hate him in the process. In this country, the Elios and Umbra wolves hate one another. Many many decades ago, they were one pack, but something happened to cause each one to pick a moon and goddess to follow, and made them mortal enemies. The Onyx Covenant games are played every 10 years to choose two new wolves from one of the groups to rule over all- one Alpha and one Omega. Umbra has won the passed 4+ games, but Theron is going against his evil father's rule. He has changes to make...including getting his Omega back. Mila wrote this in such a way that you can see the world through their eyes. The world building is top notch, and the side characters are so well done. The battle between right and wrong, good and absolutely wicked, was heart wrenching at times, and I felt for both Theron, Lyra, and their friends. I love the slow build of them back to trusting, though Theron never wavered. Lyra had a tough time of getting over her feelings and what Theron did in addition to how she was raised, but together the waves they made and the changes they brought on made it possible for future wolves to live in harmony.
Elios and Umbra packs, two packs both alike in dignity in fair Verona...oh wait...lol. This story of the Onyx Covenants is an enemies to lovers (but are they really?) started out sounding like a Romeo and Juliet retelling. But the Elios wolves are the superior of the packs. Even though they haven't held the power of the Covenant in decades. The story of Lyra and Theron comes off like a YA novel, but be warned there are very much spicy scenes and spicy language. The story evolves around two lovers who become "enemies"...not my favorite trope. The book really didn't read that they hated each other after that.
This was an easy and fun read. If there was a little more world building and more back story to Lyra and Theron, I would have rated this a 4 star. There is so much potential in this world. I wonder who and what story will come next? Mila left a few unanswered questions in the book that could lead to sequels or prequels in this word. I always enjoy Mila Young books.
There were two items I had issues with... and I won't go into detail because I didn't want to add any spoilers or hide the entire review because of potential spoilers. There are two comments Lyra makes in the book that make no sense based on previous events.
Looks away now... just in case....
She makes a comment to Aria about Theron's dad, "Theron thinks his father will eventually come around..." Excuse me, what now?! After everything we learned??? Where did that come from? In my opinion, there is absolutely no way this should have been said or happened. I don't know why Mila added this to the book. It adds nothing but leaving the reader perplexed at the 180 of Theron's mindset about his dad.
The other one is her comment on the other HEA couple, "Never would have predicted those two ending up together." I knew those two were going to be knocking boots before the Harvest Ritual Dinner. It makes me think some dialog was added as a comic relief or to add something else to the story. But it fell flat.
I was lucky enough to be gifted an ARC copy of the Onyx Covenant.
Onyx covenant is a testament to the adage of “love never dies” and in the case of Lyra and Theron, this is true (mostly on Theron’s part since Lyra believes that she hates him).
Lyra and Theron’s love was forbidden – wolves from two different packs that have been at war for years. When Lyra believes that Theron betrayed her, her love for him changed to hate – but we all know that the line between love and hate is extremely thin.
When Theron must choose an Omega to pair with for the Harvest Ritual, he binds himself to Lyra which infuriates both his father and her father who are both the pack alphas. They must participate in multiple trials that could lead very deadly, and both packs are very angry with them and trying to sabotage/kill Lyra. Can they work together, putting their drama behind them or can Lyra forgive Theron so their love can bloom and win the rituals? Or will they end up dying before clearing the air?
This book was absolutely amazing – the trials – whew! – those were INTENSE! But I loved how determined Theron was to win back her love and how far he is willing to go to fight for her. The last trial was crazy intense – I was biting my nails through most of it!!!
This book was definitely a 5-star read, and I would definitely recommend this to others!
Theron Shadowmane had shattered Lyra Mooncrest's heart, and now she's chained to him as his partner for the Harvest Ritual. A contest that has been known to turn deadly. They must work together, whether they like it or not, and not just to survive. They each have their own reasons for wanting to win, but with their two packs competing for who gets to rule over them for the next ten years, they are at odds. Being back together awakens old feelings but will they survive for it to grow into something new?
This is an incredible standalone romantasy. I was immediately pulled in by the rich worldbuilding, of two opposing packs struggling for dominance. I loved how their society is structured, their rituals, and magic. Lyra is sweet and brave, and not just brave competing in the ancient competition, but brave in facing Theron who broke her heart and dealing with her emotions. The tension between them is sizzling, but their bond goes much deeper than just the physical. I also really loved Aria and Keiran, and I would love to read their story next. There are lots of levels to the plot and still some mysteries that would be fantastic to explore in other books. Great fast-paced action and a roller coaster of emotion.
The Onyx Covenant, a standalone, second chance paranormal romance with enemies to lovers themes. Two groups of wolves have been vying for control for decades, but the Umbra wolves have been the ones who held control for the past several decades. Their control has harmed their counter group the Elios wolves. Cue up star-crossed lovers – Theron and Lyra. Meet by accident, fall in love, but circumstances tear them apart, leaving Lyra with a broken heart. A year later...fate gives them another shot. This book moves pretty quickly. These are some pretty young characters, but since you’re getting steamy, they are obviously going to be of age. Lyra, 18, reads very much like a woman scorned and unfortunately comes off as petulant, bratty, and a touch immature. We get the story from both Lyra and Theron’s POV throughout the book. The story is engaging, but there are some highly predictable elements that even the characters should have seen coming in certain scenes. The romance moves quickly, but we appreciate that it’s not just Lyra and Theron who claim the spotlight throughout this book. We get some twists & surprises, and I have to say I appreciate that not everything goes perfectly. Character growth is at a minimum which is disappointing, but it’s an enjoyable book overall.
Standalone MF Alphahole Virgin Omega Enemies to Lovers (then back again) Second Chance Dual POV
Umbra and Elios have been at war with each other for decades, with Umbra being the ones in control for the last several. Something had to change because with Umbra being in control Elios wolves have suffered greatly. What is the best way to bring two enemy packs together? A love match? If only.
Our FMC, Lyra, meets our MMC, Theron, by chance. They fall in love but obviously with their packs being enemies… it didn’t workout. Theron breaks Lyras heart and she rejects him as an alpha for reasons you’ll have to read about. But a year later? They get a second chance…
The Harvest Ritual. It’s supposed to be one alpha and one omega from the same pack competing together to see which pack will rule for the next ten years. Imagine the shock when Theron selects Lyra for his omega partner. Let’s just say both pack alphas, their fathers, are not happy about that. Not one bit. Theron and Lyra have a hard battle ahead of them with the ritual, attacks on Lyra, and that chemistry between them. Theron wants his omega back and there’s nothing that will get in his way.
Suspense, twists and turns, and everything else! This book was amazing and I can’t wait for the next one!
4.5⭐ There are so many werewolf shifter romances out there and I tend to stay away from them because they all end up being the same. but occasionally I will give in to ones that sound interesting and different. The Onyx Covenant definitely stands out. it's a planet with several moons, and shifters who can live simply in the forest, or massive progressive cities. our couple faces a ritual trial which forces them to work together. Mila always does a great job at world building without going overboard in the explanations. I have to admit I was a little worried in the first chapter that our FMC was going to be a whiny brat.. but thankfully she grows very quickly and the story takes off and holds you captive chapter to chapter. all characters , including supporting , are well written and the whole book is enjoyable. rating spice is really a subjective topic. For me, romance doesn't go into chili peppers until clothes come off And body parts are thoroughly explored. so I'd put this at 🌶️🌶️. and say 85% plot, 15% spice. Happy to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this one. I do tend to love Mila's books and this is no different.
Mila Young has done it again! This book kept me absorbed from the start! I loved the plot, the world building, all the characters and I felt the pacing was just right between Lyra and Theron. I slightly felt that it was a one-sided enemy to lovers in regards to the main couple but it could count for the two tribes being enemies. I really enjoyed the action scenes within the harvest trials and how it helped Lyra and Theron grow closer. Can definitely recommend this standalone, it was a great read.
Lyra had a good character being a priestess for her tribe, daughter of the alpha for her tribe and all she wanted was freedom from her duty. Theron wanted to find out answers to questions from the past in regards to his father's actions. Their tension and pull throughout was felt strongly and it did focus on their relationship development getting past the initial rejection. I'd say it wasn't too spicy being only a few scenes but it doesn't take away from the story at all. I enjoyed the side development of Aria and Kieran too, I would have loved to have seen more of their relationship even as side characters!
It was a quick and easy read. I wouldn't call it an enemies to lovers book. More like an unrequited love (for both parties). The only thing that makes it an enemies to lovers is that their packs are enemies.
I love the way that the first met. I would have liked to have more on that interaction. And get to know more about some of the others briefly mentioned.
I love this world and feel it has great potential for sequels and am looking forward to seeing more of it. I have always loved any book that Mila writes and can visualize the scences so well with her descriptions. It does start off more mild but did end up with some Spicy scenes that were just the right amount of spice.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because (stop reading if you don't want any spoilers) I feel like we didn't get to find out all of the hidden background of the packs and proof they found on Theron's father. It kind of just glossed over it and then both the Elios and Umbra packs were just cool with each other. I believe there should have been more tension between the two packs for a little while since they were all raised to hate each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Onyx Covenant was great. Mila Young created a detailed world of rival packs, forbidden love, and deadly trials. One thing's for sure, I was never bored. I loved Lyra and Theron. Lyra is a stubborn spitfire who I think everyone underestimated. Theron was more than a deadly alpha; he had bigger plans than anyone knew. I enjoyed the back-and-forth between the pair. She doesn't want to listen, and he refuses to give up until she does. Honestly, it was adorable. And I have to mention their best friends, Aria and Kieran, who made me laugh on several occasions. I didn't get a magical forest, but the maze was a close second and one of my favorite parts of the trials.
Besides the excitement of the trials, the stuff with the packs was just as interesting. There were generations of hate, the Onyx Covenant as a law in itself, deceit, betrayal, conspiracy, and some very interesting history. There was so much drama between the packs that it bled off the page. After everything they went through, I couldn't be happier with the ending. Perfect if you're looking for a standalone shifter read with high stakes and good romance.
I loved this story. I absolutely couldn't put it down once I started. From the beginning, the forbidden nature of Theron and Lyra's relationship really tugs at your heartstrings. Being from opposing packs, and from high ranking families, there is no way for them to be together. Until they get paired together in the deadly Onyx Covenant trials. I think the plot paired well for this "enemies to lovers" (I say in quotes because it didn't really feel like they were enemies to lovers, more so their families wanting them to be) because they were forced to work together to survive and show each other each of their strengths. The only reason it is not quite a 5 star is I wanted more worldbuilding/ explanations at the end. We didn't really get answers on how/why the packs split, what Theron's father actually did, and there probably should have been more initial tension between the packs considering they've been conditioned to hate each other. The ending felt a little too rushed in a "they lived happy ever after way". I am not sure if some of the unanswered questions will be answered in future books; selfishly I hope so because I can't get enough Lyra and Theron
Years of discord and war between them had only brought loss and unhappiness to the Umbra and Elios clans. Theron and Lyra's relationship seemed doomed from the start, but a twist of fate brings them face to face again, and Theron isn't willing to miss the opportunity presented to him. I found Theron's point of view interesting, as well as the confidence and determination he displayed as he pursued his goal. I worried about Lyra and her indecision but thank goodness her attraction to Theron was leading her down the right path. I loved the supporting characters, Kieran and Aria, who made me laugh with their comments and quips. I found the challenges the characters faced interesting, novel, dangerous, and filled with a mystery that caught my attention. They also made me think, just like the protagonists. A story with a good pace, full of action, suspense, intrigue, camaraderie, funny characters and other malicious ones, along with the despicable villain who can't be missed, romance, and passion.
I'm impressed with Mila Young's approach to werewolf romance in "The Onyx Covenant." This story follows Theron and Lyra, ex lovers from rival packs who have to work together in the perilous Harvest Ritual. Their chemistry is tangible but emotional scars from the past threaten to create genuine obstacles they must confront while attempting to survive life and death situations. Exceptional worldbuilding is presented with the presence of several moons, civilizations, and magically evolving systems which are artfully incorporated without the dreaded info dump. It becomes evident that the personal struggles that unfurl along the journey are a reflection of the larger fight between the Umbra and Elios packs. Alongside the central romance, there's a great cast of supporting characters and satisfying action scenes that make this story an emotional rollercoaster. Mila Young is certainly one for the fans of a good paranormal tale that offers meaningful conflicts, powerful character arcs, and real diverging growth.
The Onyx Covenant is the second book in the multi-author shared series, The Lunaterra Chronicles. It is an standalone, M/F, enemies to lovers, wolf shifter, second chance, Romantasy with action, adventure, betrayal, and intrigue.
This was such a fabulous book. It was a fresh breath of air to read such a great standalone story. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, arc, and characters. The pace and flow of the story made for an unstoppable read. The world building painted an enrapturing and thrilling environment. I really appreciated the action, the adventure, the betrayal, the lore, the steam, and the intrigue.
Lyra and Theron were amazing together. I loved how their characters showed growth and development and the way their relationship developed as well. I adored Lyra's strength and the emotional turmoil she had regarding Theron and their past and possible future. I admired Theron's persistence in ensuring that he and Lyra would be together.
This was a terrific read that I would definitely recommend. I look forward to reading more from this wonderful author.
The Onyx Covenant is a standalone story set in the Lunaterra Chronicles series. Lyra and Theron come from wolf shifter packs that live in opposition to each other. They fell in love, but it ended badly. Lyra has tried to move on, and dedicated herself to priestesshood. She runs into Theron at a shifter event, and he makes an impulsive decision that lands both of them in a precarious situation. They need to work together to succeed in a life-or-death ritual. Unfortunately, that requires them to trust each other - and Lyra’s trust in Theron is in negative supply.
I absolutely loved this story, and could not put it down! I enjoyed seeing how Lyra came into her own, and how she and Theron challenged each other. His love for her and dedication to her was so heartwarming, and I was happy to see them learn to communicate with each other and learn to trust in each other and work together.
The world-building was incredible, and I was sad to see the story end. I would love to see more from the characters - particularly Kieran and Aria!
The Onyx Covenant by Mila Young – A Dark, Addictive Entry into the Lunaterra Chronicles
The Onyx Covenant is a gripping, enemies-to-lovers romantasy that pulled me in from the very first page. Mila Young delivers a story that’s equal parts sharp, seductive, and emotionally intense—with a plot that moves fast but never feels rushed.
The chemistry between the main characters crackles with tension, and every interaction had weight. The world-building is rich, the stakes feel real, and the darker undertones give this book a depth that surprised me in the best way.
There’s something magnetic about the way this story unfolds—dangerous magic, hidden secrets, and a romance that builds through heat and heartbreak. I truly didn’t want to put it down.
This is part of the 13-book Lunaterra Chronicles series, with each book written by a different author. Book one was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this second installment absolutely holds its own. If the rest of the series continues at this level, we’re in for something truly special.
This is the second book in the Lunaterra Chronicles but each book is a standalone by a different author. This book follows Lyra and Theron, lovers to enemies and back to lovers. Theron is in the Onyx Covenant Trials and chooses Lyra from the enemy pack as his Omega and lost love. Together they navigate the ritual where one pair will rule over the two packs for 10 years. Theron's pack has one the last couple of trials. This is the first pairing of the waring packs but it is exactly what is needed to uncover the past and bring the packs back together. I love the character building between the two but especially with Lyra. She had to really look within to what she truly wanted to help Theron win the trials and bring the packs back together.
This book was action packed with great world and character building as well as spice and a HEA. I have always loved Mila Young and she did not disappoint with this book. This is one you don't want to miss. :)
I could not put this book down. Mila Young knows how to write tension that hurts, and Lyra and Theron? Obsession-level pairing. The angst, the betrayal, the longing — it’s ALLLL there, and I was living for every second of it. Their history is messy, painful, and full of unfinished moments, which makes the slow-burn reunion even more addictive.
The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the Harvest Ritual setup gave the entire story this pulse-pounding urgency. You’ve got rival packs, forbidden love, deadly trials, and that “touch her and die” energy that never gets old. I also really loved Kieran and Aria — the side characters had depth and didn’t feel like filler.
This gave me exactly what I wanted from a romantasy: high stakes, heartbreak, and heat, with just enough tenderness to keep me fully emotionally wrecked. Ugh. Now I'm going to be in a book slump! This was so good.