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The Elements #2
Deluge
The cease-fire between Earth and Mars has failed. Caught in a deadly missile strike, Major Tor Savan and the crew of the Orion IV put their lives on the line, attempting to save as many people as possible as they defend the Earth.
But as the dust settles after the attack, it becomes clear that human lives were not the only casualties. The laboratories that manufacture omegas’ hormonal suppressants have been destroyed, which means that over the course of the next three months, every single omega on the planet will be forced to go through a heat.
Unwilling to abandon his fellow soldiers to twelve hours of agony, and with a level of knowledge about the heats that few alphas could match, Tor puts together a plan to help them through it – a plan so risky and unlawful that it could end not only his career, but also destroy the reputations of every single person involved in the reckless scheme.
But only a fool expects such daring plans to go smoothly, and when Azure, Tor’s omega lover, gets dragged into the middle of the storm, Tor finds himself having to re-evaluate every social custom and moral value he believes in.
Note: It is recommended that you read Hurricane (The Elements Book 1) before reading Deluge.
But as the dust settles after the attack, it becomes clear that human lives were not the only casualties. The laboratories that manufacture omegas’ hormonal suppressants have been destroyed, which means that over the course of the next three months, every single omega on the planet will be forced to go through a heat.
Unwilling to abandon his fellow soldiers to twelve hours of agony, and with a level of knowledge about the heats that few alphas could match, Tor puts together a plan to help them through it – a plan so risky and unlawful that it could end not only his career, but also destroy the reputations of every single person involved in the reckless scheme.
But only a fool expects such daring plans to go smoothly, and when Azure, Tor’s omega lover, gets dragged into the middle of the storm, Tor finds himself having to re-evaluate every social custom and moral value he believes in.
Note: It is recommended that you read Hurricane (The Elements Book 1) before reading Deluge.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2019
71 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Laura Taylor
24 books103 followersLaura Taylor is a pseudonym for Gabriel Danes. Gabriel is a bisexual, transgender writer of fantasy and romance novels. He likes watching ice hockey, reading about vampires and werewolves, cooking, and has fantasies of one day becoming a firefighter.
Gabriel lives on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Gabriel lives on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 29, 2025
This book was much more politically interesting, but I feel like things still came too easy and consequence-free for them. Like the doctor capitulating so quickly. Also, the people of this world have the shortest memories of all time to not remember bonding or that omegas climax during knotting. The betas in power have not so disguised moral majority vibes, like right wing politicians saying they are protecting women when they are taking away their freedoms. I like the concepts, but wish it were longer to really explore them. The plot is too tidy for the weight of the ethical issues the book is tackling, even though it's tackling them well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2019
Not bad.
Less sci-fi here which is disappointing.
This meanders a bit and then ended in a cliffhanger.
Seems more of a commentary on sociopolitical issues than sci-fi romance.
Less sci-fi here which is disappointing.
This meanders a bit and then ended in a cliffhanger.
Seems more of a commentary on sociopolitical issues than sci-fi romance.
Read
December 27, 2022I struggled with this book because it felt different both in plot and focus from the first book. Although the first book also dealt with dystopian omegaverse issues, it was set among an isolated group of people in space and didn't deal directly with larger parts of society. The focus was more on the main characters, whereas this book, particularly in the first half, focuses on the catastrophes people in London are dealing with, including how to deal with a omega suppressant shortage crisis. The relationship between the MCs, while present, takes a back seat. There is a lot of worldbuilding and exploration of a dystopian omegaverse society, which isn't in itself a bad thing but just not what I came into the series expecting a large focus on. This book also felt much less sci fi than the first book, which was a disappointment since that was something I really liked in Hurricane. I liked the last part of this book, which had some developments between the MCs that had interesting implications on how alpha/omega relationships work, but it wasn't enough for me to want to finish the series.
September 21, 2020
but what happened to the war with Mars??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
Look, I have qualms. But I also have an immense need to know what happens next because the way this ended has me concerned.😩
So, yes. I will be finishing the last book.
So, yes. I will be finishing the last book.
February 17, 2022
Want to know what it like to change the mind of small minded people... keep reading.
December 23, 2022
This review is for the whole series. I am conflicted. This series is okay, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Overall, it was just an average read with some significant but tolerable issues. I doubt I'd read it again.
First of all, this is NOT a sci-fi series, in my opinion. The sci-fi part is in the first book, and then basically disappears completely from the rest. And the part that's in the first book is signifcantly underwhelming. It started out great, but the follow-through just wasn't there. It ended up feeling somewhat forced.
The second issue is the lack of romance and development in Tor and Azure's relationship. I love alpha/omega pairs; it's my favorite thing in MM romance. The two had physical chemistry, but I just didn't feel like they had very much depth beyond that. There aren't any major conflicts between them. While there's plenty of sex and relationship stuff in this series, none of it holds up against the true star of this show... which is social and political commentary.
So yeah, about that. It's way too much. WAY too much. Look, I'm all for the social and political suggestions made in this series, and I think the background created in the books is interesting to explore. But holy fucking fuck... it was explored in every which way it could be. And then turned inside out and explored again. Omegas have it shitty, alphas have it shitty, betas are the true cunts of the world, blah blah blah. We got it the first 50 times. If this series was about 2 or 3 times as long, the amount of social/political stuff would be appropriate. As it stands, though, with each book being relatively short, a lot of that crap needed to be replaced with scenes that created depth for Tor and Azure at least, or actual sci-fi elements, or BOTH.
The sex is hot, though. It's got that going for it. Plenty of smut scenes, especially in the first book.
Book by book:
**Hurricane (first)** - 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This starts off with sci-fi elements. They are interesting and giving me "Expanse" type vibes, which I'm all fucking about. Then Azure has a heat, and the interaction with Tor begins. Then a fuuuuuck ton of sex--like 50% of the book--but it's hot, so there's that. Then we nosedive; the book abandons all opportunites to use the cool scifi elements from before, does a couple months time skip with no development between MCs at all, whips up some very basic sci-fi stuff to create drama for book 2, and THE END.
It was disappointing. Started well, had hot sex, and then died a quiet boring death. Also, Azure annoyed the fuck out of me for half this book. I like him in the others, but he is very whiny in this one until he gets through his heat, and it's not cure.
**Deluge (second)** - 2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
This starts off with continuation of basic sci-fi stuff from the end of book 1. It once again glosses over basically every opportunity to make it interesting or thrilling. All sci-fi is now dead/absent at this point. We go through a lot of time skip and MCs just start shacking up together. No real relationship discussion.
Then the social commentary starts. And continues for 75% of the book. Just nonstop shit about the imbalances between alphas and omegas and betas. God, it drones on forever. If the author cut that crap in half and use the space to have some real substance between MCs and it would be great, a perfect balance of plot, romance, and sex. But nope.
**Lava (third)** - 2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
This is just like book 2, except there's no sci-fi elements at all, and the social stuff is now political stuff. On and on and on about the state of alpha/omega rights in the world. A large portion of the book deals with Azure/Tor in legal troubles because of stuff from the last book, but the plot for those legal troubles is just so boring. It's just a vessel to further disguise the social and political content as plot that matters. I skimmed part of the book, frankly.
Azure and Tor get their HEA, but it feels cheap simply because the series hasn't developed much depth to them. The fucking social/political issues of this world have more depth than the MCs.
Ratings on a 1-5 scale:
SCI-FI/FANTASY - 1
PLOT - 2
MM ROMANCE - 2.5
CHAR DEVELOPMENT - 2.5
HEAT/SEX - 4
HEA ✅️
A/B/O ✅️
KNOTS ✅️
HEATS ✅️
First of all, this is NOT a sci-fi series, in my opinion. The sci-fi part is in the first book, and then basically disappears completely from the rest. And the part that's in the first book is signifcantly underwhelming. It started out great, but the follow-through just wasn't there. It ended up feeling somewhat forced.
The second issue is the lack of romance and development in Tor and Azure's relationship. I love alpha/omega pairs; it's my favorite thing in MM romance. The two had physical chemistry, but I just didn't feel like they had very much depth beyond that. There aren't any major conflicts between them. While there's plenty of sex and relationship stuff in this series, none of it holds up against the true star of this show... which is social and political commentary.
So yeah, about that. It's way too much. WAY too much. Look, I'm all for the social and political suggestions made in this series, and I think the background created in the books is interesting to explore. But holy fucking fuck... it was explored in every which way it could be. And then turned inside out and explored again. Omegas have it shitty, alphas have it shitty, betas are the true cunts of the world, blah blah blah. We got it the first 50 times. If this series was about 2 or 3 times as long, the amount of social/political stuff would be appropriate. As it stands, though, with each book being relatively short, a lot of that crap needed to be replaced with scenes that created depth for Tor and Azure at least, or actual sci-fi elements, or BOTH.
The sex is hot, though. It's got that going for it. Plenty of smut scenes, especially in the first book.
Book by book:
**Hurricane (first)** - 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This starts off with sci-fi elements. They are interesting and giving me "Expanse" type vibes, which I'm all fucking about. Then Azure has a heat, and the interaction with Tor begins. Then a fuuuuuck ton of sex--like 50% of the book--but it's hot, so there's that. Then we nosedive; the book abandons all opportunites to use the cool scifi elements from before, does a couple months time skip with no development between MCs at all, whips up some very basic sci-fi stuff to create drama for book 2, and THE END.
It was disappointing. Started well, had hot sex, and then died a quiet boring death. Also, Azure annoyed the fuck out of me for half this book. I like him in the others, but he is very whiny in this one until he gets through his heat, and it's not cure.
**Deluge (second)** - 2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
This starts off with continuation of basic sci-fi stuff from the end of book 1. It once again glosses over basically every opportunity to make it interesting or thrilling. All sci-fi is now dead/absent at this point. We go through a lot of time skip and MCs just start shacking up together. No real relationship discussion.
Then the social commentary starts. And continues for 75% of the book. Just nonstop shit about the imbalances between alphas and omegas and betas. God, it drones on forever. If the author cut that crap in half and use the space to have some real substance between MCs and it would be great, a perfect balance of plot, romance, and sex. But nope.
**Lava (third)** - 2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️.5
This is just like book 2, except there's no sci-fi elements at all, and the social stuff is now political stuff. On and on and on about the state of alpha/omega rights in the world. A large portion of the book deals with Azure/Tor in legal troubles because of stuff from the last book, but the plot for those legal troubles is just so boring. It's just a vessel to further disguise the social and political content as plot that matters. I skimmed part of the book, frankly.
Azure and Tor get their HEA, but it feels cheap simply because the series hasn't developed much depth to them. The fucking social/political issues of this world have more depth than the MCs.
Ratings on a 1-5 scale:
SCI-FI/FANTASY - 1
PLOT - 2
MM ROMANCE - 2.5
CHAR DEVELOPMENT - 2.5
HEAT/SEX - 4
HEA ✅️
A/B/O ✅️
KNOTS ✅️
HEATS ✅️
November 27, 2023
This is another enjoyable book in The Elements series, a look at the intersection of omegaverse politics, social conventions, and social justice issues. In this world, the understanding of natural biology has been so perverted through generations that most alphas are celibate, omegas have only recently gained rights of equality at the cost of fear of mating or even admitting their gender, and betas have strong opinions on how the others should bear shame. It's a world where reproduction occurs with sedated alphas because it is otherwise dangerous for omegas.
In this story, heat blocker medication is in very short supply due to a Martian attack on Earth. Tor and Azure, who we met in the first book in the series, now understand that common beliefs about alpha/omega couplings are incorrect and even dangerous. They feel the need to share their knowledge with at least some omegas, as the world succumbs to omega heat-induced attacks and even killings. The world is not ready for this type of knowledge and the consequences of them sharing what they know to even a few people can have dire results. Are they willing to take the risk to help others knowing it could cost them their careers and potentially their freedom?
At the two men work with the outside world, they begin to draw closer to each other than ever before. The world has drifted so far from understanding basic A/B/O physiology, that they are really on their own. They find they are happily falling in love and becoming lifelong mates. I look forward to reading Bk 3 in this series for the rest of the story.
In this story, heat blocker medication is in very short supply due to a Martian attack on Earth. Tor and Azure, who we met in the first book in the series, now understand that common beliefs about alpha/omega couplings are incorrect and even dangerous. They feel the need to share their knowledge with at least some omegas, as the world succumbs to omega heat-induced attacks and even killings. The world is not ready for this type of knowledge and the consequences of them sharing what they know to even a few people can have dire results. Are they willing to take the risk to help others knowing it could cost them their careers and potentially their freedom?
At the two men work with the outside world, they begin to draw closer to each other than ever before. The world has drifted so far from understanding basic A/B/O physiology, that they are really on their own. They find they are happily falling in love and becoming lifelong mates. I look forward to reading Bk 3 in this series for the rest of the story.
September 10, 2019
Cute sweet relationship, engrossing look at other world gender politics
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I finished the last book and decided to get the sequel, but it wasn't something like this, and I mean that in the best possible way.
Most romances stick with the beginning of a relationship, but having done that in the first volume gives this book the freedom to let Tor and Azure grow into truely being together. Their support of one another through trying times is fantastic, yet there are still the good moments of just loving one another. One thing that made me quite happy was their constant insistence that their relationship is built on trust. It's so rare that I see couples depicted with this level of open honesty with each other.
As to the problems they face: yowza. People with triggers for mentions of rape and physical trama should proceed with caution. The idea that there is one tiny pill standing between a choice of painful sex and even more painful body horror, and that that pill is suddenly gone worldwide is terrifying. The efforts to battle centuries of ingrained social stigma do move at a faster clip than I would expect in real life, but my suspention of disbelief barely swayed, given the dire straights the world finds itself in.
I finished this book in under a day and am getting the next one as soon as I finish typing this. Well worth the price.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I finished the last book and decided to get the sequel, but it wasn't something like this, and I mean that in the best possible way.
Most romances stick with the beginning of a relationship, but having done that in the first volume gives this book the freedom to let Tor and Azure grow into truely being together. Their support of one another through trying times is fantastic, yet there are still the good moments of just loving one another. One thing that made me quite happy was their constant insistence that their relationship is built on trust. It's so rare that I see couples depicted with this level of open honesty with each other.
As to the problems they face: yowza. People with triggers for mentions of rape and physical trama should proceed with caution. The idea that there is one tiny pill standing between a choice of painful sex and even more painful body horror, and that that pill is suddenly gone worldwide is terrifying. The efforts to battle centuries of ingrained social stigma do move at a faster clip than I would expect in real life, but my suspention of disbelief barely swayed, given the dire straights the world finds itself in.
I finished this book in under a day and am getting the next one as soon as I finish typing this. Well worth the price.
March 15, 2022
We left behid the military backdrop and moved on to social and gender inequality. I see that there are deep undertones here and a lot of reflection on today's views on sex and gender. My problem is that while this world was diverse in gender, it wasn't in race. At least it didn't come across like it. While there is very little description on the pysical appearence of people, which I really like because I can imagine the characters however I like, this also means that there are no black or hispanic people. Tor and Azure are definitely white and while we don't know this for sure about others, it is also not mentioned that they are not. So writing about inequality and leaving out racism feels like eating a vegan burger. Yeah, it's a burger, it's just missing the meat.
But despite my misgivings I can see a story line emerging and it's engaging. The way the relationship between Tor and Azure evolves is uplifting and we get more important secondary characters. And let's just agree, Kit is the sweetest.
But despite my misgivings I can see a story line emerging and it's engaging. The way the relationship between Tor and Azure evolves is uplifting and we get more important secondary characters. And let's just agree, Kit is the sweetest.
July 11, 2019
So, we're back with Tor and Azure. They are dealing with the fallout, practically literally, from the attack from Mars. Millions are dead, Tor is healing, and there are worse things to come. The suppressants that all the Omegas in the world depend on are just about to disappear, except for a carefully hoarded supply. And of course, Tor and Azure get dragged into the problem, at least for some people that they know.
The background of all the politics in this story is amazing. I mean, the world is textural and tangible. The Alpha/Omega rights struggle is so similar to civil rights struggles that minorities have and are dealing with. That made the book, even though it's set in the future, feel much more immediate and relatable.
I like the secondary characters of Adam and Kit, and I would really like to see them get a book of their own. I really don't like or Trust Ethan.
The background of all the politics in this story is amazing. I mean, the world is textural and tangible. The Alpha/Omega rights struggle is so similar to civil rights struggles that minorities have and are dealing with. That made the book, even though it's set in the future, feel much more immediate and relatable.
I like the secondary characters of Adam and Kit, and I would really like to see them get a book of their own. I really don't like or Trust Ethan.
December 26, 2019
Where the first book we get to know the characters this book starts really digging into the world and where things aren't going good. The heat suppressors are running out and nobody has a clue how to stop alphas from hurting omegas during heats except for Tor and Azure. Yet nobody especially the government and the space corps want anything to do with their solution. It is fascinating to watch the omegas and alpha fight the idea until they realize that it works. The betas in this world tend to piss me off a great deal. I love the fact that this world plays with the stereotypical roles of alphas, betas, and omegas. It is rare to see a world where the betas rule although they don't do it very well in this case.
September 21, 2025
I love this series.
Mars has attacked the Earth. Thanks to Tor Savan and his crew, Earth had a heads up and out of 300 missiles only 52 had made it to their targets. But Earth faces weeks of cleanup and months of rebuilding. Tor Savan was alive thanks to the best medical treatment he could get and weeks of therapy. During his recovery Azure visited him daily. Tor was a war hero now.
Once recovered Tor was made aware of the shortage of heat suppressant for the Omegas. This would be an absolute disaster if a viable solution could be found. Much drama and fun times in the sheets ensues.
Mars has attacked the Earth. Thanks to Tor Savan and his crew, Earth had a heads up and out of 300 missiles only 52 had made it to their targets. But Earth faces weeks of cleanup and months of rebuilding. Tor Savan was alive thanks to the best medical treatment he could get and weeks of therapy. During his recovery Azure visited him daily. Tor was a war hero now.
Once recovered Tor was made aware of the shortage of heat suppressant for the Omegas. This would be an absolute disaster if a viable solution could be found. Much drama and fun times in the sheets ensues.
Read
February 25, 2026I don't know if it's an intentional parallel to book one, but we open with "Azure was thrown against the straps of his harness" yet against.
Ms. Taylor, you have the opportunity to do something incredible in the opening to book 3.
***
Very little in the way of space adventures here. After the first scene, the book takes place on Earth, navigating ABO social justice issues and the suppressant shortage.
Again, this is really only a single arc of the same story, published in three sections, so we're left off on a cliffhanger for the 3rd book.
Ms. Taylor, you have the opportunity to do something incredible in the opening to book 3.
***
Very little in the way of space adventures here. After the first scene, the book takes place on Earth, navigating ABO social justice issues and the suppressant shortage.
Again, this is really only a single arc of the same story, published in three sections, so we're left off on a cliffhanger for the 3rd book.
August 1, 2019
Excellent Reading
The plot to the story between Major Tor and Lieutenant Azure is getting better and better. Now they save earth from mars attach on earth, and devise a plan to help omega's through their heat. A Must read story. Just wish the books were on audible.
The plot to the story between Major Tor and Lieutenant Azure is getting better and better. Now they save earth from mars attach on earth, and devise a plan to help omega's through their heat. A Must read story. Just wish the books were on audible.
September 23, 2019
Enjoyable continuation
I liked reading more of Tor and Azure’s relationship as it grew in the aftermath of the attack on earth. Their trying to help the other omegas was interesting and I liked Kit and Adam. I hope they’re in the next book, though I am worried about the outcome.
I liked reading more of Tor and Azure’s relationship as it grew in the aftermath of the attack on earth. Their trying to help the other omegas was interesting and I liked Kit and Adam. I hope they’re in the next book, though I am worried about the outcome.
February 5, 2024
A big surprise. This was one of the most interesting things I've read in a while. It's the world building. The author is using science fiction to explore legal, political, and civil rights issues and It is weirdly compelling. I wasn't expecting the legal drama of it all, but it's super interesting.
Read
December 21, 2025DNF at 18%
I tried but I could already tell this one was leaning even more into the Dystopian Sci-Fi elements and not particularly into the romance. After reading some reviews, I had my fear confirmed so I'm stopping now.
I tried but I could already tell this one was leaning even more into the Dystopian Sci-Fi elements and not particularly into the romance. After reading some reviews, I had my fear confirmed so I'm stopping now.
July 14, 2019
The next seat clenching step
Slightly more political drama, this book is more than just an excursion and a heat, but still has lots of steam
Slightly more political drama, this book is more than just an excursion and a heat, but still has lots of steam
Read
April 23, 2022Book 2
Wonderful continuation of the storyline. Seeing some parallels now to the author's somewhat historical series that I'd read previously.
KU, sci-fi, Alpha omega, omegaverse
Wonderful continuation of the storyline. Seeing some parallels now to the author's somewhat historical series that I'd read previously.
KU, sci-fi, Alpha omega, omegaverse
May 25, 2022
I'm so glad I don't live in this world. Just saying. :-)
August 12, 2022
Good read
Enjoyed my 2nd installment of this story. A slightly different take on the Alpha Omega dynamic, and world building. An going on to 3rd and final installment.
Enjoyed my 2nd installment of this story. A slightly different take on the Alpha Omega dynamic, and world building. An going on to 3rd and final installment.
August 3, 2024
Enjoyed this second book and can’t wait to see what happens next
December 16, 2025
perfection!
This is such a heart warming & eye opening story. The concept of the storyline, the “coming out angst” vibes that we get that have nothing to do with the 2 MCs being men. But the parallel of the stigma within this world of being an alpha or an omega compared to our reality that treats the LGBTQ+ persons is beautiful. This story, as well as Tor & Azure, is one that will stay with me in my soul for a long time.
This is such a heart warming & eye opening story. The concept of the storyline, the “coming out angst” vibes that we get that have nothing to do with the 2 MCs being men. But the parallel of the stigma within this world of being an alpha or an omega compared to our reality that treats the LGBTQ+ persons is beautiful. This story, as well as Tor & Azure, is one that will stay with me in my soul for a long time.
January 23, 2026
My favourite book in this trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews