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Seraphine Thomas #7

Shattered Alpha

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Division Chief Seraphine Thomas made a lot of waves in already choppy waters, but progress was also made for paranormals. Some people seemed to realize they were on the same side of the real monsters and changed their tune. Others stepped up to show their support instead of staying quiet.

But progress causes upset, and most blame Sera as the cause instead of realizing the problems were always there.

She’s used to that from work. What she can’t handle is finding a man she loves with another woman. She turns to the one person who’s never betrayed her and gives in to what they both want without considering the repercussions.

Now her personal life is on its head when a wolf shows up dead as a message she can’t figure out and people against progress push back and try to contain her. Will the paranormals and allies she has in Chicago that she’s helped stand with her and fight, or will they betray her and leave her to battle an enemy she cannot win against alone?

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2018

472 people are currently reading
98 people want to read

About the author

Erin R. Flynn

102 books795 followers
also writes under Joyee Flynn and Flynn Eire.

Erin is a born Chicagoan who decided to state hop a bit, given she works from home. She currently resides in Georgia with her pup, Lord Vader Flynn. With an eclectic and addictive personality, there isn’t much that doesn’t interest her or she won’t pour herself into if it catches her fancy. She has always been interested in the darker aspects of life and mythologies—especially vampires, shifters, the occult, and anything paranormal.

To date, she has published more paranormal books than she can keep up with the characters for, in different genres with dedicated readers who await each release to her numerous series under any of the three Flynn names she writes.

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5 stars
803 (56%)
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454 (31%)
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136 (9%)
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27 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
29 reviews
March 2, 2018
need more happy

i mostly, usually enjoy Seraphine Thomas books. the mystery, the action, the drama, the steamy, even the sad moments that may make me cry, really make me feel apart of Seras world. I know life is hard and sucks for most everybody. Its why i like a good sci-fi fantasy to take me away. BUT, Erin, can Sera pllleeeeaaasseee have a little more happy. There is very little happy in any of the books, but this one is the worst. that evil revenge was so horrible to all involved, not just Sera, and i felt everyone was more focused on only helping her not the men when it happened to them too. the book started out good then became sad and depressing taking what was finally becoming stable, loving and happy relationships and shredding them so badly on both sides......i have no words. I don't know if i like the direction this series is going if everything is always so bad. i don't know if i like the vampire councilman and council either. what good are all these protections when the very life their protecting keeps getting injured so horribly. now (spoiler) sera lives all alone again with vampires practically watching every move. its like you hate Sera and torture her a little more each book, and now have spread out to torture her family(her true love) too.

This is the first Sera book I've reviewed, besides just stars. I do read your notes , Erin. i do agree for most part. they are your books and youre the writer. so what happens is at your discretion. i hope you don't think of this as trashing your work,as im not. You do fine work. It's how I FELT.. I read lots of books, especially series (even the ones you've referred to)and they all have one here and there that I'm not fond of. I completely understand you can't please everyone and are going to write how you feel things should go. I will read the next book, and hope for happier times, but may sadly be the last I try to endure if continues so darkly.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
1,390 reviews62 followers
May 22, 2021
Slowing Down and Taking Stock

In this series there are a lots of times that Sera is overwhelmed and worked to exhaustion, she goes through traumatic events and people she loves let her down. Through it all she keeps on going, until one day, the final straw breaks and she needs to stop. Just get off the merry go round and deal with everything.

There is a build up to this breaking point and though Sera has been through things that seem worse sometimes its a cumulative thing that causes the snap. One of the things I like abut this series is that it acknowledges the effect trauma can have and how it effects each person differently, sometimes the same person differently at different times.

I love that Sera is a this badass alpha/FBI agent who can fight crime and the bad guys of the paranormal world, but still gets hurt by a careless word or phrase from a boyfriend. I like that she can compartmentalise like nobody’s business but we see the aftermath of that shoving aside of the bad stuff. I also like that Sera has strong female friends and adopted family who support her and help her work through her problems and protect her to the best of their ability.

This is slower on the plot front than previous books, but emotionally it is still very satisfying.
Profile Image for abi.
30 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2019
I'm giving this a 4* because the writing is as always phenomenal and so is the base storyline.
SPOILERS:


But I am devastated to say I couldn't finish the book after Dion slept with Beth. They basically got married and then all of a sudden she's not jealous and is okay to share him. This is my worst nightmare. The other guys (apart from Brian) i am okay with having side lovers as they keep hurting her and she's not as close with them. But Dion and even Brian (expect for at the beginning which in my opinion wasn't a big deal) have been there for her through everything. I hoped they would be the two guys who would stay loyal to her and only her.

And I read your message at the beginning and you shouldn't listen to other people, you should write how you want to write, it is your book after all and you can't please everyone. But as this triggered me and led to me having a panic attack and I slipped back into depression (like seriously it's been a week since I read this book and I'm only now resurfacing from the hole I buried myself in.) I don't think it's healthy for me to continue the series which I am so devastated over and am very sorry about
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ReverseHaremMuse.
192 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2025
Review of the Seraphine Thomas Series by Erin Flynn (Books 1–18)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Overall)

I’ve officially read all 18 books in the Seraphine Thomas series - yes, all of them - so you don’t have to (but maybe you’ll want to). I’m a longtime fan of Erin Flynn’s writing. Her stories are creative, emotionally rich, and often addictive. There's always at least one character per series you end up rooting for, and her talent for immersive world-building is undeniable.

That said, my experience with this series has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Let’s break it down honestly - but respectfully.

🔥 The Positives:
Compelling Worldbuilding: The supernatural FBI + polyamorous twist is unlike most in the genre. Think Forever meets Castle with a Vampire Diaries vibe.

Long-Term Character Arcs: The series spans a wide timeline and shows dedication to character growth (even if not always in a direction I enjoyed).

Addictive Early Books: Books 1–7 had me hooked. They had humor, high-stakes emotional drama, and solid pacing. These earned a solid 3.5/5 stars from me.

😬 Mixed Feelings & Constructive Critique:
1. Tone and Authorial Voice
While the author’s writing style is generally engaging, I personally found some of the commentary in the closing author’s notes and certain narrative choices to feel more personal or opinionated than expected in fiction. I completely understand the need to address issues like piracy, but I believe there might be more neutral or inclusive ways to communicate those messages.

2. Relationship Complexity vs. Clarity
This isn’t a typical “Why Choose” or Reverse Harem setup. It’s a deeply layered polyandrous dynamic - messy, intricate, and sometimes emotionally chaotic. If you're looking for straightforward bonding arcs, be prepared: the relationship development gets incredibly convoluted. Personally, I found the shifting dynamics between mates, sirened partners, consorts, and friends-with-benefits confusing as the series progressed. A glossary or relationship map might be helpful in future installments.

3. Character Fatigue
By Book 18, I found myself struggling to connect with many of the characters - especially the main character, Sera. She starts off as a resilient, sharp, and likable FMC, but over time, her decisions and relationship management felt inconsistent or frustrating. The push-pull dynamic in her personal life, paired with very little progress in her supernatural education even 18 books in, made it difficult for me to continue rooting for her.

Many love interests were introduced with big emotional weight, only to fade into the background or disappear altogether. Some characters who were well-developed and emotionally resonant (like Dain or Tristan) seemed to get less closure or fair treatment than others who felt more peripheral. In contrast, some relationships dragged on without significant development or payoff.

4. Pacing & Structure
Books 8–18 dropped to a 2.5/5 rating for me. The pacing slowed, and more focus seemed to shift toward commentary and expanding the cast rather than continuing the central storyline. Political and social themes started to feel more prominent than the core plot, which I found distracting from the fictional narrative I was invested in.

🧍‍♀️Sera Thomas (FMC):
Early-series Sera was fantastic: witty, brave, emotionally complex, and vulnerable. I loved her journey through the early books. But as the series continued, her indecision, emotional volatility, and seeming lack of introspection made it harder to sympathize with her. She often reacted rather than reflected, and by Book 18, she felt less like a hero and more like a character stuck in loops.

💔 On the MMCs:
Too many to list fully, but here are some key points:

Tristan: Felt unfairly treated by both the narrative and Sera. He brought a lot to the story emotionally and deserved more.

Dain: A standout for me. Loyal, strong, and emotionally available. Frustratingly underappreciated by Sera.

Brian, Riley, Hagan/Reagan: Relationships with these characters didn’t feel satisfying or necessary by the end.

Noah, Axel, Eugene, Jason: Struggled to leave a lasting impression. Some started strong but faded, others never quite clicked.

Carter: Felt like his storyline was mishandled. A simple conversation would have solved a lot.

Ari, Virgil, Lucca, etc.: Either forgotten or sidelined. At 18 books in, I’m struggling to remember who’s still important and who isn’t.

⚠️ Final Thoughts:
This series started with a bang but has become increasingly complex - sometimes at the expense of clarity, pacing, and emotional payoff. I’d still recommend it to readers who enjoy dark paranormal romance with poly themes, complex emotions, and an ongoing world that spans dozens of characters.

But for me, the series may have reached its natural peak. I’m unsure whether I’ll continue with future books unless there’s a notable shift in focus and tone. Still, Erin Flynn’s creativity and dedication to her characters is commendable, and I hope future installments bring some much-needed resolution to long-standing arcs.

TL;DR:
Started strong with a bold and complex heroine in a unique supernatural world. Became bloated with characters and unresolved plot threads. A frustrating but ambitious series worth reading - if you have patience.
Profile Image for Sydney.
1,341 reviews67 followers
September 1, 2022
3 You Are So Real That You Are Magical Stars Stars

Shattered Alpha is the seventh book in the Seraphine Thomas series by Erin R. Flynn.

This book felt as if the author was purposefully pushing the plot to overload the heroine. It's didn't feel true to the character or story to torture her to that extent. The amount of situations Sera was forced into, be it for work, for the pack, or personally had this "trample on Sera" vibe. Which seems overboard given how much growth she has already faced, and the terrors that still haunt her to this point. Maybe the author will show us in the coming books, the purpose for this batch of traumatic experiences. But it still felt disingenuous to how the story of Seraphine Thomas has played out thus far.

I did enjoy that Sera managed to find a Vampire Council representative that she could bond with much in the same, and yet definitively different, to Councilor Haton. Councilman Papadoupolus was a refreshing twist to any previous experiences with the ruling bodies of supernatural species. I think they are almost friends, and I know they enjoyed each other's company. On a somewhat related, and yet entirely frustrating note, Vlad is becoming more and more a character that infuriates me. I hate, for Sera's sake, how well he faked his generosity, and now he just comes off as the personification of pettiness. He either needs to grow up, or be killed off at this point.

I expect we will face the growing turmoil in New York in the next book. I can't wait to see how that will coincide with Sera taking the time to be selfish...?

Each book lands us back on shifting ground within Sera's personal relationships. At the beginning of this book I would have guessed near marital bliss for her and Brian. But something destroyed that happiness. And then when she turned to Dain and it appeared as if they had organically merged into finding their common ground and place within each other, then something destroyed not only that but all of her romantic entanglements. Yet, I am truly terrified for the outcome of Dain's current state of mind in the coming pages.
Profile Image for Mrs Dawn.
2 reviews
July 21, 2021
Just WOW!!!!

I've read a lot of your books and enjoyed every one of them, I always see your comment to review and never do sooooo this time I'm taking some time out of my busy schedule and it is busy with kids and work, cleaning and bills blah blah blah..... to say your awesome really and truly amazing because taking some time to myself is hard but having the kindle app on my phone and one of your books makes my day! So now I have taken the time to review I don't feel like a witch with a capital B. Honestly I want to thank you for your good work and for making my day a little less stressful because a good book and something completely out of the norm helps to loose yourself in another world thats not mine. Keep up the good work and write more and more books so I stay sane lol xxx
Profile Image for Amber Hamblin.
305 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2018
A-Freaking-Mazing

I mean, the struggles that she gets thrown at her are unreal! She is such a strong woman and to see that she finally hits bottom, that’s real and it makes me appreciate this story more. I’m heartbroken for the things she endures, but I feel as if it makes her better person.

I do gotta day though, with all the trouble she is having with the guys, you figure she wouldn’t jump in a hot tub with a bunch of guys.

Reguardless I enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the next!
Profile Image for Dena.
4,477 reviews12 followers
February 28, 2019
Frustrating

Well she got her way to push away the men in her life. I swear if she doesn't get her shot together she won't have to worry about whether they want her or not. She is making a mess and not handling it. I feel like ripping my hair out because of the way this is going. It is quite frustrating when there is stuff going on and she doesn't rely on anyone. I really like Dain and I hope she pulls her head out of her butt to keep him.
Profile Image for Jacquelyn G.
1,061 reviews56 followers
February 17, 2024
Unsatisfying finish

The storyline I this book was really interesting but I wish it would've more detailed on the case.
There's always so much going on that a bunch of situations are almost on fast forward. We get bare bones of a case, paranormal problem, and then that's pretty much pushed to the side for whatever emotional break she's having from relationship drama or being nearly killed.
It's SUPER frustrating because I really enjoy the idea behind the series.
356 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2025
Great read!

These books fun and original. I do worry about the FMC. A lot. But I'm supposed to. I'm not exactly sad about diminished sex scenes although I enjoy tales where the sensual nature of the lead fits seamlessly as part of the progression. In this one they should be. Will she ever be as supported as she needs? Oh I hope so. I have trouble believing anyone is that strong.
All in all, I will probably finish the series as long as it remains as clever and original.
Profile Image for Sandi Devlin.
246 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2018
Another great book

Sera has gone thru so much in her life and it doesn’t seem to end. She is put the thru so much in this book but she just get stronger for it.

Each book keeps getting better and better and each make me laugh and cry and is so good.

Definitely looking forward to the next one.
58 reviews
March 8, 2018
The only thing is , I have to wait for the next book!

The main character is dealing with stress and like everyone else it only takes one more thing to bring down your house. The author leaves us with a house that has imploded and is trying hard to get back together. More drama and more blood and more power.
Profile Image for Christina Hadley.
77 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2020
Great series!

I love this series. I love how it explores mistakes and missteps and allows all the characters to grow. sera is a kickass heroine but like so many physically strong women, has to come to terms with the emotional toll of living in a man world. I can’t get enough and love this world of paranormal s!
Profile Image for Jo.
119 reviews10 followers
January 14, 2021
Action packed and heartbreaking

Well it started with a bang! I was seriously overjoyed for Sera at the start of the book then truly heartbroken come the end. Bit as always it is a roller-coaster journey and I loved every minute of it. Plus the 2 short stories at the end. One great insight into Sera and her childhood then the other of Apollo taking his leave.
5 reviews
January 17, 2021
i just can't read this series anymore. it's one extreme to the next. bigot-this, bigot-that, pages and pages of soapbox lectures, rape, threat of gang rape several times, man-hating, the Sera is abused in every single way possible and i can't take it anymore. i'm taking a break from reverse harem as a whole after this. i can't bring myself to read the genre anymore right now.
Profile Image for Gail.
72 reviews15 followers
November 23, 2021
I really enjoyed that one, especially the bonus chapter at the end explaining some of her childhood. I also enjoyed that she finally (somewhat) broke and is learning how to rebuild her life with all the changes she's been going through. She's a straight shooter and hates all the "politics" of life, me too. But she has the guts to try to change things to make it better for others.
10 reviews
February 21, 2025
Keeps you hooked

Sera is such a character to dive into with sexy scenes and excellent detective reads planted in amongst real life potential dramas...and who doesn't know the feeling of being so stressed and overwhelmed? Makes this book and series so relatable. The sex scenes more of a hell I wish, but just goes to show it's not all roses...
Profile Image for JP.
1,834 reviews14 followers
October 28, 2025
Absolutely FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC Again 😁

This series has so much more to it than any I've ever read 😄. I read the beginning and I don't agree that there is too much sex & violence 😉. If anything, this series is so well written that, I truly can't put it down, cuz I HAVE to see what happens next 🤔. Thanks again Erin, your stories are so addicting I'm hooked 🤓.
Profile Image for Liza.
112 reviews
February 24, 2018
Just amazing

This book was worth the wait. I was not disappointed. The book was jammed packed with action and angst. My heart hurt for Sera but happy for some of Walmart occurred. Definitely a must read!!!!!!
Profile Image for Christian Jeffress.
476 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2018
Fantastic

Another fantastic edition to the series that I throughly enjoyed. I also loved the extra chapter because finding more about Seraphine when she was younger was amazing. Definitely get this book if you love the series and if you haven’t started it yet, you should.
Profile Image for Stacy B.
667 reviews5 followers
October 16, 2019
Best one yet

I think this book is the best in the series. I like that Seraphine wasn't whiney. She is making an effort to work through things now. I am really glad that Vlad got spanked by his council. I am really excited for the next book.
382 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2020
Brilliant

Another brilliant addition to this absolutely fantastic series, all the books in this series have something new to offer and will keep you wanting to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Jessica Willoughby.
1,580 reviews12 followers
January 14, 2021
Amazing

This series is absolutely addicting from the first book and continues to hold your attention through all of the following books. I love the strong female lead working to make the world a better place
Profile Image for Jenn.
52 reviews
May 14, 2021
Most excellent!

I'm a huge fan of this author. Each book I've read has been an immersion into the thoughts and feelings of the main character. The extra chapters are a fabulous bonus!
Profile Image for Christine Middleton.
15 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2024
Wow

The two separate chapters have explained a lot. Really good story and I can't stop reading this series. I love how Erin has made Sera vulnerable but strong, not just kickarse all the time.
83 reviews10 followers
February 25, 2024
Love it

Wow this young alpha siren/ shifter/woman is amazing she has suffered so much agonising abuse I wanted to cry for her, but how she still comes out fighting is astounding. I highly recommend the series to read.
36 reviews
October 14, 2024
Erin knows how to craft a story

Only you can perfectly craft a story that drags me to the next book. Your characters are so well thought out and relatable!! I am jumping into the next book!
Profile Image for Layla Anson.
31 reviews
February 28, 2025
Good character progression

Sera keeps getting more and more real as the books keep coming. I love the storyline and character development as she comes to terms with her three-fold self!
Profile Image for Brandy Dorsch.
Author 16 books135 followers
March 17, 2018
Thank you!

I seriously love this series and can't wait to devour more of Sera and the guys! I love the direction that the story is going!
116 reviews2 followers
April 22, 2018
Wow!!

I’ve torn through this whole series in about a week. It was so good I never want it to end. You go Erin Flynn! You are a word goddess,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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