Devlin They – the motley collection of riff raff charged with maintaining control in the second circle of Hell known as the Verlorene Hoffnung Rehoming Center – were scared of the shifters they ruled over. So scared, in fact, that every effort – including drugs, sleep deprivation, and starvation – were employed in various combinations to keep their captives locked in their more easily controlled human forms. What this group of undesirables turned jailors had forgotten was that humans - especially desperate humans – could be every bit as dangerous as any animal. And after a lifetime in their "care," I was looking at desperate in the rearview mirror.
5% of all proceeds from The Omega Auction Chronicle stories are donated to The Trevor Project; the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
Look, by now I know what I’m getting when I pick up a Kian Rhodes story, and obviously I’m okay with it or else why would I keep coming back for more, right!? This series certainly won’t work for everybody, but it works for me.
Deviation in Destiny follows on (or even overlaps) with the events from All in His Mind, where our series heroes were attempting to rescue some ill-treated shifters from an evil facility.
Here, Alpha Connor – who was briefly introduced in the previous book as Quinn’s oldest friend – finds and rescues an omega of unknown origin by the name of Devlin. Devlin has been in confinement for years and has been raped by his captors since he presented as omega. Although he hasn’t led a happy life, Devlin is of a positive disposition and views his liberation as his big chance to start life anew. Connor very quickly becomes more than Devlin’s protector and new friend, especially when the two find such undeniable comfort and safety in each other’s arms from the very moment they meet. They also share a sexual pull that neither fights for long, regardless of their previous circumstances (i.e. one being the victim of ongoing sexual abuse and the other previously identifying as asexual).
I liked Connor and Devlin as a couple and found their relationship effortless and loving, but I did take issue with how easily both characters just overcame their past traumas/sexual identities to be together. In this kind of fantasy world exceptions can often be made for the extreme haste with which romance and sex overcome all odds, but the fact that Devlin had been sexually abused for years was simply brushed aside and not even touched on in his consideration to dive into bed with Connor. It was like it never happened, which is beyond unfathomable. Add to that, Connor’s asexuality was a main focus point in the previous story, yet here it was barely even discussed. Instead, he simply changed his tune and became a sexually charged dude the moment Devlin was in arms reach. I figured this would somehow be explained away by the pull of a mate bond, but it wasn’t. He was simply asexual one minute and then the next he wasn’t. Both of these plot points didn’t fly with me, yet there was something about this story that kept me engaged and eager to read on despite my concerns.
When it comes to the technical aspects of the writing, I still have issues with the editing and there are still little time sequence inconsistencies (linking to the other books) that frustrate my extremely OCD mind. I’m (mostly) able to put these niggles aside and enjoy the complex shifter world Rhodes has created, as I find her A/B/O world and its huge cast of male characters generally quite likeable, and I certainly find these books moreish in a guilty pleasure sort of way.
I particularly love that these stories are told through a multi-pov narrative. In the earlier stories, this aspect of Rhodes storytelling was quite frustrating, with way too many characters getting feature chapters in each story, making it really hard to keep track of who was who and what the heck was going on. It’s obvious that Rhodes has greatly improved in this aspect of her writing and now her stories flow far smoother and are far less convoluted, which is something I’ve taken note of and greatly appreciate about these latest releases.
I also love that each story builds off the last and I love that all my favourite couples from the past keep showing up book after book to help out in whatever new drama is unfolding next. But it’s due to this connectivity that I wouldn’t recommend reading these books as standalones. No matter what other people say or how the books are being promoted, I feel like every book in this “series” builds off the previous story, and the cast of characters has become so large that even I get confused at times trying to remember everyone and their backstories, even though I read them all in chronological order and have the memory of an elephant. Basically, I’ve ignored the fact that the books are marked within three separate series: The Omega Auction series, The Omega Rescue series and the Blood Valley Investigations series – instead, I’ve read in the order listed under the larger Omega Auction Chronicles series that combines them all in ideal reading order and I recommend to anyone considering these books to do the same.
Overall, this series still has its faults but I’m invested and continually eager to read on. If you don’t mind the odd editing issue or plot snafu, and you’re just after some fluff-tastic and sexually charged A/B/O goodness, then this might just be the series for you.
Well, this was purely smut. 😁 I’m not going to lie, a lot of people think this series is a bit silly and I don’t entirely disagree with it. ☺️ But you can’t hope epic love stories or spectacular storylines when you are reading such a series. If so, your expectations will terribly fall short. However, if you are looking for short, fun, sexy and filthy erotic stories and if you can look past some illogical errors and wanna escape from the reality for a moment, then you chose the right books. I loved this entire series and it has been my guilty pleasure for quite a while. I have read all 12 books in this series and they were really sexy, fun and erotic. I do hope there will be more books in the future.
The book picked up from where the 11th book ended. The storyline is quite similar to previous stories. An all testosterone filled, macho but kind and a caring alpha save the desperate omega in distress. The sex is, well, like I said, filthy and raw and hot. Some scenes are quite ridiculous and needs more detailed work to become a better story. This book is quite different from the previous installments in the series since this is entirely based on a newly introduced world. Not my favorite story in the series but didn’t hate it. Frankly, smut is the best part about this story. 😂😏 I’m a bit disappointed that even after 12 books, they still can’t seem to find a good editor to notice jumbled up names and grammar error. 😒 Anyhow, I’m happy that I was able to read all books and most of them gave me such joy and pleasure. 💜💛💚
I love this author. I love this series. I wanted to love this book. Unfortunately I have a problem with the way they portrayed Devlin, the sexually assaulted main character. He had been strapped down and raped repeatedly for months, years? The author didn't specify. But he seemed to suffer no trama at all. He not only didn't avoid intimacy he was sexually aggressive. What's more he was turned on by hair pulling and rough sex as if he enjoyed being mistreated. Are we to conclude he enjoyed being strapped down and constantly violated? The only effect of his past abusive sexual experiences seems to be seeking more rough sex. That just isn't right. Perhaps finding his mate might alleviate the distrust, fear and revulsion he should be feeling somewhat but not completely. This book makes too light of that kind of abuse.
Not sure what happened here but definitely not for me
I usually like the easy reads of Kian Rhodes' Omega stories but this one was just a bit too much.
There were too many new things thrown in without any explanation, the two MCs took the whole fated mates onto a different level with the individual experiences they instantly overcame to start having sex, and the plot was resolved with hardly any conflict.
It was a shame because the premise of an asexual alpha was one that could have been really explored with how fated mates could affect a lack of desire.
Okay I know these are lite reads but WHAT THE HELL?!?! - A repeatedly rape victim with no side affects. What? - An asexual character who is suddenly a sex giant. Are you kidding me? - Fairies, angels, bog witches...gag me! If you’re not going to write a complete character DON’T go for the deep stories.
At first I wasn't sure with the turn this story took because it was getting beyond my genre preference. But the love, caring, and action of the story made it well worth the read. I think Devlin still doesn't realize how special he is for Conner. I hope we get more peeks of them in further stories.
Even for a fantasy series about shifters, this book is too far fetched and I'm not talking about the events. So this little omega has been systematically raped and abused for God knows how long, but he meets Connor and he's totally okay? Come on. He didn't even pause to process. And Connor has never wanted sex ever... like EVER... but this sexy new little omega gives him a woody? Come on. No, I'm done. The last few books didn't do it for me and this one did me in. Too bad really because I loved the first 3 or 4.
WOW, What a wonderful surprise pleasure slave Devlin turned out to be. Connor, a new Alpha in the mix, have a unusual courtship. Their storyline takes them to a strange new realm. Rafe and Colby are also featured in this book, it's great to see their chemistry back in action. It was great to see so many characters from previous stories. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
4.5 stars. I've enjoyed this series tremendously. I love that the author keeps including her previous heroes. They feel like they've become one family at this point. I was interested to see what Connor would be like and he didn't disappoint. He's protective and loving, just a great guy. I expected Devlin to be a lot more wounded emotionally than he was, but I did enjoy his sassy side. Adult read
Argh, this... series. SMH. This was another book in the series that I really wanted to like, but just found so problematic. Once again, the author blithely sails past the trauma of an eighteen year-old raised in captivity and treated as a sex slave for years, making Devlin a character that I wanted to feel connected to but just found too emotionally depthless and unbelievable in regard to the constant sex he craved with Connor and his familiarity with things that he presumably wouldn't have any knowlege of, given his history. And then... Connor. Gah. Honestly, I rarely enjoy romances with asexual characters, and whether that's on me and my tastes or on the way they're portrayed by authors is up in the air, but what I enjoy even less is the asexual erasure vibe of how Connor went from completely limp-dicked, uninterested-in-sex to the point of being actively fearful about it when he to the hyper sex drive he displayed with Devlin in this one. Now, I'm always down to read about sexual awakenings and fluid sexuality and demisexuality and just sexual discovery in general, but that is not how this was handled. And don't even get me started on how the author continues to tell-not-show through so much of the book, often summarizing key plot moments - like - by having a character tell another one about it after the fact. Just... no. Not good storytelling. Not satisfying. A big reason I end up skimming a lot and don't feel invested in the side books she's got for this series.
This was my least favourite book of this series, mostly because it barely felt like it came from this series. It was a real disappointment.
The Omega Auction series and off shoots have never been literary marvels. They are erotic and a little ridiculous, with some weird planning and plot issues, but they are always heartfelt, romantic, and sexy. This book didn't have that except in the scenes that focused on outside characters.
Devlin in has been kept in a facility and raised like an animal for years. Upon presenting as an omega it became open season on him, with any man with privileges allowed to abuse him. This is usually where Rhodes would bring in the hurt/comfort thing. Instead, Devlin is all game for sex and only worried that he isn't good mate material because he was a 'whore'. Then, despite having no heat or connection between them Connor and Devlin are suddenly soul mates. That lack of connection or need really kept me separate from these characters.
There is a whole thing in the middle of then book about Devlin origins. Turns out he's neither human nor shifter, and Connor's nickname of 'Angel' is a little too prescient. By focusing on this weird storyline the rescue of the rest of the shifters from the facility gets forgotten, and when it comes up again it feels so out of place. Weird direction to go in, seriously muddled what plot there was.
I am very much a fan of this series, but this book was a major no go. Read the others, skip this one.
A big fan of the series, but man, I was definitely a bit disappointed with this one. Had I gone in without any expectations, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but I really felt like Connor had been set up as ace in the previous book and with the violence Devlin had suffered, just expected a completely different relationship dynamic.
Me least favourite of the chronicles. Really off-kilter world-building and pasted-on Colby aggrandization. Buyer Beware, in which Colby stars, remains my favourite of the series, but to shine a spotlight on Colby in a book that's supposedly about Connor and Devlin was too jarring for me.
This book kinda blew apart the entire universe these books were set in, and then it's just never brought up again? Also, it was super strange that they introduced GODS and suddenly, an army of werewolves are like, "yeah, we'll be fine to fight them" and the next thing you know, the climax of the story is over? Super weird.
Also really disappointing to learn about a character that can shift into anything and we barely saw that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This series and the connected series are fun quick reads. This one was a little different because it went into Norse mythology which was a fun departure. Still love the characters, the author makes wonderfully surprising strong omegas. The heat level was high in this installment and as always characters from other books filled the pages catching you up on their lives.
This was an epic journey with 17 books in the Omega Auction Chronicles (plus 4 shorts) and they are intertwined with the Omega Rescue and Blood Valley Investigations). They are definitely best read in order and worth it - very sexy, entertaining and fun.
I still have the Omega Destiny, International series to get through and looking forward to it.
I thought this book was super cute I just wish it had explained Cian's children situation and also do the mating thing at the end and also I'm really curious as to can Devlin get pregnant or not? Also why was Colt not in the fight?
The beginning of this tale was so grim and it gels the cr@p that some so called human beings put others through so this isn't all hearts and flowers or light-hearted.
That said, it could do with having loose ends tidied up more clearly hence only 3*s.
Worst of the series. I disliked this book so much I'm actually surprised it's by the same author. The writing quality (spelling, grammar, general descriptions, etc.) went so far downhill on this book. I really hope the next one is better than this.
I tried to leave this series without completing ones I had not read, but it was a no go. Nothing spectacular. An afternoon diversion and the more I read from this author the more they annoy me with careless fact-checking among the books.
This is a paranormal queer romance within a mpreg world, the 12th book in a series that should be read in order. This story picks up from the last book with high drama and action. There may be some triggers in this story but it’s got a HEA for the MCs! 💜💜💜💜💜
Enjoyed the first half up until Devlin vanished. The last few chapters felt like they should have been fleshed out in another book. This felt like the end of the series.