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Salvus
Van doesn't care if Omar is his fated mate -- or whatever other bullshit the world believes in. He's not going to be trapped in a relationship because the universe says he should be. Worse yet, Van's not a huge fan of overbearing, entitled, pretentious alphas. Tired of living under the rule of alphas, he runs away to Salvus, a city governed by betas... only to discover that having their protection may not be as idyllic as it sounds...
Omar knows his mate hates him -- or at least, Van hates what he is. Even though they have an explosive relationship centered around Omar helping Van through his heats, he still cares enough to agree to take Van to Salvus. But once his mate is gone, he discovers Salvus hides sinister secrets.
*Salvus contains a CLIFFHANGER ending. Its sequel, Escape, has an anticipated release date of early September.*
(MM non-shifter ABO/omegaverse m-preg)
Omar knows his mate hates him -- or at least, Van hates what he is. Even though they have an explosive relationship centered around Omar helping Van through his heats, he still cares enough to agree to take Van to Salvus. But once his mate is gone, he discovers Salvus hides sinister secrets.
*Salvus contains a CLIFFHANGER ending. Its sequel, Escape, has an anticipated release date of early September.*
(MM non-shifter ABO/omegaverse m-preg)
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2019
About the author
R. Phoenix
85 books581 followersR. Phoenix has an unhealthy fascination with contrasts: light and dark, heroes and villains, order and chaos. She believes that love can corrupt and power can redeem. Her muse is a sadomasochistic slave driver who thinks it's terribly amusing to give her the best ideas when she just got comfortable and warm in bed, and she passes on that torture to her readers. She also tries entirely too hard to be funny, and she mercilessly inflicts her terrible sense of humor upon anyone who speaks to her. She'd love it if you'd say hello!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 18, 2019
Every fiber in Van revolts everyone’s expectations of a regular omega. Mostly from the stupid alpha’s, he hates alpha’s, especially Omar!
Van uses Omar for his periods of heat, and despise him every time when it’s over. But he is weak in heat and needs an Alpha to fulfill his desire. And Omar, he is there, every time.
In Van’s eyes, Salvus is like The Promised Land for omegas. The place for him to be a free-spirited Omega. There will be no constraints, no a**hole Alphas with expectations, he can be who he is. And above all, there will be no Omar, his fated mate. Because Van doesn’t want to be strained in a corset, get babies and all the other stuff omegas have to do. But with all the focus on what he wants for himself, he loses the view on what others really want, like his mate Omar.
So Van heads over to Salvus leaving Omar behind. Only, the Promise Land has secrets.
Omar wants to reach out to Van and he gets more and more anxious. Why did he ever let him leave in the first place? His road to Salvus isn’t as easy as it looks.
I loved and disliked Van with all his flaws. I loved Omar for ditto reasons. The whole story around them is well built up. Every new revelation made my teeth grind. Every step seemed like the wrong one. The secondary characters, Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, who seemed not at all secondary, played a good role in this story.
The whole journey was very intriguing and unpredictable. The characters were varied and all with their own characteristics. It was captivating and it got me on the edge of my seat.
The life behind Salvus’ walls goes beyond imagination. Sit, read, and marvel!
I’m not really happy about cliffhanger but with a prospect of a nearby continuation, I can handle it!
Van uses Omar for his periods of heat, and despise him every time when it’s over. But he is weak in heat and needs an Alpha to fulfill his desire. And Omar, he is there, every time.
In Van’s eyes, Salvus is like The Promised Land for omegas. The place for him to be a free-spirited Omega. There will be no constraints, no a**hole Alphas with expectations, he can be who he is. And above all, there will be no Omar, his fated mate. Because Van doesn’t want to be strained in a corset, get babies and all the other stuff omegas have to do. But with all the focus on what he wants for himself, he loses the view on what others really want, like his mate Omar.
So Van heads over to Salvus leaving Omar behind. Only, the Promise Land has secrets.
Omar wants to reach out to Van and he gets more and more anxious. Why did he ever let him leave in the first place? His road to Salvus isn’t as easy as it looks.
I loved and disliked Van with all his flaws. I loved Omar for ditto reasons. The whole story around them is well built up. Every new revelation made my teeth grind. Every step seemed like the wrong one. The secondary characters, Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, who seemed not at all secondary, played a good role in this story.
The whole journey was very intriguing and unpredictable. The characters were varied and all with their own characteristics. It was captivating and it got me on the edge of my seat.
The life behind Salvus’ walls goes beyond imagination. Sit, read, and marvel!
I’m not really happy about cliffhanger but with a prospect of a nearby continuation, I can handle it!
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October 15, 2019
I've read an earlier contemporary title by this author that I adored. The fated mates setup in this one sounded great since I'm fond of omegaverse tales, but to me this story was a complete miss.
The constant state of anger was not what I wish for in a romance, and the main pair spent the majority of the book apart—and both . Even the excessive use of profanity (for a romance novel) ended up grating on my nerves.
The author states in the description this book ends on a cliff-hanger, but as I finished the first book I simply didn't care one bit for Van and his anger. Omar was a bit more agreeable, but not enough for me to continue on to book two.
The constant state of anger was not what I wish for in a romance, and the main pair spent the majority of the book apart—and both . Even the excessive use of profanity (for a romance novel) ended up grating on my nerves.
The author states in the description this book ends on a cliff-hanger, but as I finished the first book I simply didn't care one bit for Van and his anger. Omar was a bit more agreeable, but not enough for me to continue on to book two.
Want to Read
May 1, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/1/2020)! 🎁
August 11, 2019
Hard pass on this and anything else written in this series
I'm sad to say that I found this book to be incredibly boring. I didn't care about Van, or what he got himself into. I didn't care about Omar and his adventures between Pine and Salvus. I stopped reading this book twice to move on to something else before trying again, and ended up skimming through at least 80% just hoping that it'd get better, but it didn't.
I'm sad to say that I found this book to be incredibly boring. I didn't care about Van, or what he got himself into. I didn't care about Omar and his adventures between Pine and Salvus. I stopped reading this book twice to move on to something else before trying again, and ended up skimming through at least 80% just hoping that it'd get better, but it didn't.
September 11, 2019
I had such good time reading this book. I loved Van and Omar, both are frustrating and charming at the same time. I was so mad at them all the time and I loved it. What was a little bit of an issue for me was the fact that I don’t really get to see them much as a couple, since both are so extremely stubborn, but I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring to their relationship. I loved the mystery behind Salvus and some characters.
August 7, 2019
OMG!!! THIS IS A INCREDIBLE STORY
OMG!! This book is sooo GREAT!!! Yes, it is a cliffhanger but I can't wait for book #2 ESCAPE!!! This is about Alpha Omar and his fated Omega Van. These two are on a rocky road but the decisions they make..... Whoa. I loved this story and can't wait to see what happens. R. PHOENIX has out done herself with this one. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
OMG!! This book is sooo GREAT!!! Yes, it is a cliffhanger but I can't wait for book #2 ESCAPE!!! This is about Alpha Omar and his fated Omega Van. These two are on a rocky road but the decisions they make..... Whoa. I loved this story and can't wait to see what happens. R. PHOENIX has out done herself with this one. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
July 31, 2019
A perfect score again
I dont like this trope much but I do love the author, Ill read anything from her. And this proves again why I will always read anything from her: she honestly always offers something different. In this case, she gave me omegas Im completely in love with (funny since its a major issues with this trope for me... the omegas). She also give us different alphas. Different type of story. Different chemistry and dynamic... in short, she gave everything that could make this story one that will make you forget completely about a trope you dont like, to make you enjoy a book as if you were reading your most favorite trope. That’s how talented R Phoenix is and why I love everything she writes. This book? Its different. But its the kind of different we all dream to read without even knowing it and finally find it.
I dont like this trope much but I do love the author, Ill read anything from her. And this proves again why I will always read anything from her: she honestly always offers something different. In this case, she gave me omegas Im completely in love with (funny since its a major issues with this trope for me... the omegas). She also give us different alphas. Different type of story. Different chemistry and dynamic... in short, she gave everything that could make this story one that will make you forget completely about a trope you dont like, to make you enjoy a book as if you were reading your most favorite trope. That’s how talented R Phoenix is and why I love everything she writes. This book? Its different. But its the kind of different we all dream to read without even knowing it and finally find it.
August 9, 2019
I wanted to love this book so much, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. The story itself is unique, but the characters and the storytelling is not so much.
Van and Omar - two stupid person, not a surprise they are fated mates. I didn't liked either of them, I wanted to but couldn't. The story wasn't dark and wasn't erotic at all and with 0% romantic elements. We had a couple sex scenes, but those were forgettable.
The city- Salvus is interesting, with all those beta and omega members, I really want to know the end of it's story.
The storytelling was long and boring and nothing happened at all. The pregnancy... lol, i only laughed at that.
It would be a totally awesome story, if it'll be only 1 book and not 3 with this slow story. Give me 1 with less boring and more interesting scenes.
I wanted to stay and read the other two books too... well...we'll see.
Van and Omar - two stupid person, not a surprise they are fated mates. I didn't liked either of them, I wanted to but couldn't. The story wasn't dark and wasn't erotic at all and with 0% romantic elements. We had a couple sex scenes, but those were forgettable.
The city- Salvus is interesting, with all those beta and omega members, I really want to know the end of it's story.
The storytelling was long and boring and nothing happened at all. The pregnancy... lol, i only laughed at that.
It would be a totally awesome story, if it'll be only 1 book and not 3 with this slow story. Give me 1 with less boring and more interesting scenes.
I wanted to stay and read the other two books too... well...we'll see.
August 12, 2019
Hmm.. this one wasn’t for me 😔 I did read it.. but I was waiting for something to happen to make me care? I didn’t really like any of the characters for some reason 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t think I will carry on with the series.
September 13, 2019
Really good! Shades of "A Handmaid's Tale" and "Brave New World" with an omegaverse twist. Now all they need is to make everyone go through carousel when they reach a certain age and I've covered my fave dystopian tropes.
September 28, 2019
Es como esas temporadas de The walking deads en la que buscaban una ciudad en la que todo se iba a solucionar y al final no era "oro todo lo que relucía". Pues eso pero en alfa, beta y omega.... Super aburrida. No voy ni a continuar con el siguiente.
May 6, 2020
Firstly I didn't know I was getting into an incomplete story so I'm now onto book 2.
I did enjoy the authors writing style, but her two main leads are a mess, together and one of them is no better apart. I have spent much of the book wanting to throttle Van who takes no responsibility for any of his own actions. Their relationship if you could call it that, isn't build on anything other than rutting when Van's in heat and although there is the mate bond, there is no closeness between the two. I didn't really feel a hint of any either leading to them missing each other when separated. And there is my main issue, because it seems like a lot of effort for something that isn't worth the reward. It's hard to root and cheer for a couple when you aren't sure that being together is the right thing for them at all. And I'm halfway through book 2 and still feel that way.
I did enjoy the authors writing style, but her two main leads are a mess, together and one of them is no better apart. I have spent much of the book wanting to throttle Van who takes no responsibility for any of his own actions. Their relationship if you could call it that, isn't build on anything other than rutting when Van's in heat and although there is the mate bond, there is no closeness between the two. I didn't really feel a hint of any either leading to them missing each other when separated. And there is my main issue, because it seems like a lot of effort for something that isn't worth the reward. It's hard to root and cheer for a couple when you aren't sure that being together is the right thing for them at all. And I'm halfway through book 2 and still feel that way.
March 19, 2020
DNF = automatic 3 stars.
This was the case of the narrator & ME not being a good fit.
I understand the omega/alpha dynamic, this coming from a woman who survived an abusive marriage...
Van.
By that token, I should have empathized with Van. He should have resonated with me.
I found Van insufferable. Be it his narrative or from Omar's perspective. Neither was a good look for Van.
I get where he was coming from, but it didnt help that we (the reader) had a deep look inside Omar's thoughts. Omar was none of the things Van painted him to be. Van acted as if the world should revolve around him, zero thank you given, demand after demand, which made it hard to empathize on his situation. He was the asshole, not the alpha (Omar) Van was your friend's SO, the one you can't figure out why they even lasted one date.
As the reader, if felt like a child watching my parents endlessly bicker through the first portion of the novel. Uncomfortable, able to see both sides as they purposefully baited each other & miscommunicated, with Van thinking himself right, no matter what, while also mind-reading how Omar felt, even when Omar outright said what he was thinking.
Frustrating. Didn't find it entertaining. I actually started to want Omar to move on & Karma to kiss Van's ass by never getting his HEA.
This was the case of the narrator & ME not being a good fit.
I understand the omega/alpha dynamic, this coming from a woman who survived an abusive marriage...
Van.
By that token, I should have empathized with Van. He should have resonated with me.
I found Van insufferable. Be it his narrative or from Omar's perspective. Neither was a good look for Van.
I get where he was coming from, but it didnt help that we (the reader) had a deep look inside Omar's thoughts. Omar was none of the things Van painted him to be. Van acted as if the world should revolve around him, zero thank you given, demand after demand, which made it hard to empathize on his situation. He was the asshole, not the alpha (Omar) Van was your friend's SO, the one you can't figure out why they even lasted one date.
As the reader, if felt like a child watching my parents endlessly bicker through the first portion of the novel. Uncomfortable, able to see both sides as they purposefully baited each other & miscommunicated, with Van thinking himself right, no matter what, while also mind-reading how Omar felt, even when Omar outright said what he was thinking.
Frustrating. Didn't find it entertaining. I actually started to want Omar to move on & Karma to kiss Van's ass by never getting his HEA.
May 4, 2020
It has been awhile since I visited any omegaverse and I jumped into the book blind without any expectations. The mysterious setup of Salvus intrigued me. The push and pull between Van and Omar was intense but even their fated mating were not strong enough to tie them together. The story spend most of the time describing their separate lives, so there was no chemistry or anything between the main characters. The mystery of Salvus was pretty much the only alluring factor that kept me going and moving forward to book 2.
July 4, 2020
strangely enough I liked this book though it was hard to read at times. Can you just wanted to scream at and Omar you wanted to get some balls and step up the plate. but at the end of story I could not but want to see what happens next. perhaps the curnel of the story is that at times we do not know what we have is good, distant fields always look better until you realise what was important and good was not where you where looking. the issue is taking that move can be dangerous and costly. hopeful in book 2 we will find that Van can recognise what he has in Omar.
July 25, 2020
Good
I enjoyed the mystery of Salvus and how quickly Van would realise that there was something very wrong with this city. Nathaniel seems too good to be true and Omar is on his way in to rescue Van. I was a little disappointed when I got to 90% and the book was no near finishing. So book 2 will hopefully conclude this story.
I enjoyed the mystery of Salvus and how quickly Van would realise that there was something very wrong with this city. Nathaniel seems too good to be true and Omar is on his way in to rescue Van. I was a little disappointed when I got to 90% and the book was no near finishing. So book 2 will hopefully conclude this story.
April 4, 2020
Zero stars
This has a really good plot but the execution is horrible. Then there's a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting when the main character has been kidnapped. This book needs to be removed from Amazon for being a lying piece of crap.
This has a really good plot but the execution is horrible. Then there's a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting when the main character has been kidnapped. This book needs to be removed from Amazon for being a lying piece of crap.
October 19, 2023
Read the review for the next book.
February 21, 2020
Quite an interesting story in an AU omegaverse - where Salvus is not what it seems to be.
Van runs away thinking he'll be better off there away from Omar, but... yes - interesting storyline
Van runs away thinking he'll be better off there away from Omar, but... yes - interesting storyline
July 31, 2019
I've been reading teasers for this book for months, snippets that made me curious and I love the author so it was a given I would give it a try, even if it's mpreg which I rarely read.
Of course as I read the story I cared less about that and more about how I just wanted to slap some common sense and healthy paranoia in to Van.
I don't know what to make out of Nathaniel yet, but he along with Salvus is in the saying, if it seems too good to be true.
Be advised, there is a cliffhanger, it builds up to it and you just know perfection is about to crack properly.
The author have said it's not a dark book, and it's not. But you don't need dark when the foreboding is so strong as you read, giving the sense of all that's wrong just under the surface.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book, because I know it won't disappoint.
Of course as I read the story I cared less about that and more about how I just wanted to slap some common sense and healthy paranoia in to Van.
I don't know what to make out of Nathaniel yet, but he along with Salvus is in the saying, if it seems too good to be true.
Be advised, there is a cliffhanger, it builds up to it and you just know perfection is about to crack properly.
The author have said it's not a dark book, and it's not. But you don't need dark when the foreboding is so strong as you read, giving the sense of all that's wrong just under the surface.
I'm eagerly awaiting the next book, because I know it won't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews