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Non-shifter omegaverse mm romance.
In a beta-ruled world where the betas are sterile and population growth is at stake, the breeding of alphas and omegas is strictly controlled.
Alphas, considered dangerous and aggressive, comprise only five percent of the population and are kept isolated from the public. Omegas comprise only fifteen percent of the population, and are required to enter breeding programs at age eighteen.
Moon lives in a locked cell where his alpha emissions are monitored, forcibly collected and stored.
Kaydi is an omega whose fated future is to live on a pension in a government subsidized apartment and, through artificial insemination, gestate as many fetuses to full-term as his body permits before he is too old to carry on that task. He is not allowed to marry. He is not allowed to keep his babies.
When both men are chosen to participate in a new beta-approved program of arranged marriage and a forced family unit, they are thrown together into close living quarters as utter strangers to each other.
With Kaydi about to go into heat, the two face conflicts involving their duty to society, lack of freedom in a controlled environment, and compatibility issues.
Arranged marriage, forced proximity, faking a heat, first time, milking machines, and an HEA.
In a beta-ruled world where the betas are sterile and population growth is at stake, the breeding of alphas and omegas is strictly controlled.
Alphas, considered dangerous and aggressive, comprise only five percent of the population and are kept isolated from the public. Omegas comprise only fifteen percent of the population, and are required to enter breeding programs at age eighteen.
Moon lives in a locked cell where his alpha emissions are monitored, forcibly collected and stored.
Kaydi is an omega whose fated future is to live on a pension in a government subsidized apartment and, through artificial insemination, gestate as many fetuses to full-term as his body permits before he is too old to carry on that task. He is not allowed to marry. He is not allowed to keep his babies.
When both men are chosen to participate in a new beta-approved program of arranged marriage and a forced family unit, they are thrown together into close living quarters as utter strangers to each other.
With Kaydi about to go into heat, the two face conflicts involving their duty to society, lack of freedom in a controlled environment, and compatibility issues.
Arranged marriage, forced proximity, faking a heat, first time, milking machines, and an HEA.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2021
125 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Rathbone
155 books345 followersWendy Rathbone has had dozens of stories published in anthologies such as: Hot Blood, Writers of the Future (second place,) Bending the Landscape, Mutation Nation, A Darke Phantastique, and more. The book "Dreams of Decadence Presents: Wendy Rathbone and Tippi Blevins" contains a large collection of her vampire stories and poems. Over 500 of her poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines. She won first place in the Anamnesis Press poetry chapbook contest with her book "Scrying the River Styx." Her poems have been nominated for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling award at least a dozen times.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 26, 2021
I finally have the time and the will to write this review!! I want to start by saying that this is a fucked up book and what I got is not what I expected, AT ALL! 🥲🥲❤
Moon is a shifter book/series in a world where alphas are deemed uncontrollable and feral so they are put apart from society in a facility at age 15 and their only function is to give their seed for insemination. The Omegas are "treasures" but also have little freedom to do what they want with their lives, they are free to be out in the world but their only purpose is to get pregnant. All of that because shifters are a dying race and Betas, who dominate in this world, can't get pregnant. So basically this evolves around a factory of baby's.
I didn't expect the emotional weight this book brought, the alpha's name is Moon and his struggle is real as hell! He's been locked since 15, treated like shit and it almost feels like he's toyed with and they certainly stripped him of all his rights. Kaily wasn't any better, he didn't want to be an Omega, he wanted a career in design and to fall in love, but he didn't have a choice, he was a baby making machine.
This story was about a lot of injustices, love and fate. Spoiler ahead... I don't like that the author didn't try to brake the characters from their situation at the end... End spoiler, but I'm glad they found their happiness at the end.
Definitely interested in the second book. Lovely. 🧡❤
Moon is a shifter book/series in a world where alphas are deemed uncontrollable and feral so they are put apart from society in a facility at age 15 and their only function is to give their seed for insemination. The Omegas are "treasures" but also have little freedom to do what they want with their lives, they are free to be out in the world but their only purpose is to get pregnant. All of that because shifters are a dying race and Betas, who dominate in this world, can't get pregnant. So basically this evolves around a factory of baby's.
I didn't expect the emotional weight this book brought, the alpha's name is Moon and his struggle is real as hell! He's been locked since 15, treated like shit and it almost feels like he's toyed with and they certainly stripped him of all his rights. Kaily wasn't any better, he didn't want to be an Omega, he wanted a career in design and to fall in love, but he didn't have a choice, he was a baby making machine.
This story was about a lot of injustices, love and fate. Spoiler ahead... I don't like that the author didn't try to brake the characters from their situation at the end... End spoiler, but I'm glad they found their happiness at the end.
Definitely interested in the second book. Lovely. 🧡❤
May 20, 2021
"From my own experience, I could tell they'd done more to him. I knew the body language intimately myself. They had invaded him. They had taken an innocent boy who had somewhat sad eyes and made him into a wreck."
Premise of the story: in this world, betas thrives and rules; omegas are nothing but for the sake of pregnancies; and the last remaining alphas of the land are straight up getting milked everyday for their luscious semen. I just want to thank this book first for bringing me out of my reading slump. I'm finally in the mood to read again. When I read the blurb and it is about alphas getting milked like cows? I was shook. The whole story between Moon and Kaydi gives me major Black Mirror vibes. I'm gulping everything up but at the same I was so unsettled. The story was both brutal and heartwarming and I don't know how the author managed to do that. I kinda hate and love the ending. It was the most realistic route but damn that's it? Excited for the others!
May 5, 2022
This had a unique dystopian setup, with a beta ruled world and alpha/omegas in captivity. Unfortunately, that was about it.
There was so much repetition of information, of feelings, even the same scene rehashed via two POV, and then just repeating scenes pretty much. I did a lot of skimming.
It took far too long for the pair to even meet and then start talking (at all) - like 65% of the way in or more. Maybe it was 70%, I was bored. It then went immediately into a 15% long heat sex scene which was lacking any urgency or emotional connection.
Abruptly at the epilogue, they're suddenly in improved prison (house arrest instead of prison-suite) and we didnt get to see any of that process. I would have liked to see more of their battle for changes to the system - we saw a little, but considering how much page time was spent on repeating boring information, we could have gotten much more. This would have been a good point for them to have a closer emotional bond develop too. As it is, they were just abruptly soulbonded.
Overall, this didn't work for me, but it gets two stars because I was curious enough to skim to the end anyway.
There was so much repetition of information, of feelings, even the same scene rehashed via two POV, and then just repeating scenes pretty much. I did a lot of skimming.
It took far too long for the pair to even meet and then start talking (at all) - like 65% of the way in or more. Maybe it was 70%, I was bored. It then went immediately into a 15% long heat sex scene which was lacking any urgency or emotional connection.
Abruptly at the epilogue, they're suddenly in improved prison (house arrest instead of prison-suite) and we didnt get to see any of that process. I would have liked to see more of their battle for changes to the system - we saw a little, but considering how much page time was spent on repeating boring information, we could have gotten much more. This would have been a good point for them to have a closer emotional bond develop too. As it is, they were just abruptly soulbonded.
Overall, this didn't work for me, but it gets two stars because I was curious enough to skim to the end anyway.
July 10, 2022
My first outing with this author and it went very well!
This is Mpreg and non-shifter omega!verse, so if that isn't your thing, then this book isn't for you. But if it is your thing, continue reading this review to see if it's something you'll like as well.
In this world, betas rule. Two hundred years ago, there was a beta uprising against alphas, which they won.
Only problem is that now there is a beta crisis in which no beta can conceive. Think handmaid's tale, but omega!verse, and with male's instead of females. Because basically all alphas are used for is their sperm, and all omegas are used for is to breed from the alpha's sperm.
Also, alphas are looked at as too aggressive, as monsters, and so aren't seen in society. Instead they are put in jail, essentially, and used as sperm donors, in order to keep the whole human race going. Because alphas only take up 5% of the population, and with each generation that's sinking lower and lower. Omegas are commodity too because they only take up 15% of the population (and only about 8-9% are of age and in their 'breeding years'), and so the rest of the population are betas.
But whereas alphas are important to keep alive but are still treated like trash, because betas view them as mindless monsters, omegas aren't seen that way, so they are generally able to still live in society and get paid handsomely for each time they're pregnant.
Only for omegas, they never get to see or raise their children. They're taken and adopted by beta parents. Omega's only use is to get pregnant by artificial insemination. Omegas and alphas never even meet in life. Instead alphas are taken to a "milk machine" and their sperm is taken from there.
Moon, as he's been nicknamed by the beta guards, has been taken and in imprisoned since he was 15 years old when he presented as an alpha, and used as basically a cow since he was 18. He gets no choice in the matter, and he lives in hell, with no real freedom.
Even if his cell is made all pretty and he can request basically any material thing he wants (except guns and drugs, obvi), it's still a prison, no matter how prettied up it is.
There's 5 other alphas on his floor of the building all the alphas are imprisoned, down now to 4 other alphas because one of them managed to commit suicide. Moon kinda wishes for it too, but can't go through with it, at least not yet.
Now at 22, things change, because not only did that one alpha kill himself, there were four other suicides that year alone.
And less alphas means less chances for new babies to be born. So in order to try and keep the alphas happy, the beta council comes up with a new possible solution. Marrying omega and alphas together, and Moon's floor of 5 guys is chosen for this experiment.
Kaydi is an 18 year old omega, who has known he's an omega since he was 13 years old. Since then, he was taken out of regular public school and forced to take classes basically just about being omega, giving birth and how to take care of himself and be healthy so his babies can be healthy.
He doesn't want to be forced into a life of just being a baby maker just as much as Moon doesn't want it.
And when he's one of the 5 omega's chosen to be in the experimental program, he doesn't want that either. Just like Moon doesn't want it.
His whole life he was taught that alpha were monsters, to be scared of them, but when he meets Moon, he doesn't get that impression at all.
While Moon is standoffish, he's not a brute or monster at all.
Moon is scared of Kaydi at first, because he's scared of getting too close to him and losing control and hurting and/or raping him. Because just like Kaydi, all Moon as learned about himself is that he's a monster. Because he was taken away at 15, he's truly a virgin, just like Kaydi (both Alphas and Omegas are forbidden from being with anyone else in their lifetimes, because the betas believe they'll have the highest chance of getting pregnant and getting an omega pregnant if they aren't with others. That's especially a rule for omegas. They'll be pregnant many times in their lifetimes, but they can't actually have sex with anyone), and he has no idea how he'd actually act with a real omega with him.
He also doesn't want to get attached to Kaydi in a world where, even though they're put into a suite, not just a cell, and it's actually a full on apartment, there are still bars on the windows, and they can't get out of the apartments without guards coming to get them. Their lives still aren't truly their own. And also what if he got attached, and they took Kaydi away from him? That scared Moon too.
So things are tense at first, but eventually Kaydi's heat comes, and Kaydi is also just so kind and sweet, that Moon can't resist him for too long.
And when his heat comes, and they start to have sex, and it's proven that Moon doesn't lose his shit, his mind, his wherewithal, things get so much better between them.
It's not perfect at the end, but they even get to live in their own house by the end (with Moon not being able to leave the property and Kaydi having to hide his pregnancies so no beta knows they aren't betas, but still), which is a hell of a lot better than what they have for the majority of this book.
I did take a star off, but mainly because I felt like the heat could have been ramped up. Even the detailed sex scenes were just likable for me. They were fine, but they felt like they were over real quickly. Then there's a lot of skipping over any sex between them and us just being told they had a ton of sex. I would have liked to have scene some of that "tons of sex"
Also felt the ending was fairly rushed. They go from weary to liking each other to "the one for me, always and forever" type of love a little too fast. The build up was really good, just getting them to the in love state could have been a little smoother, maybe a little more drawn out.
I felt the love between them eventually, i just think the transition to that love could have been handled more effectively. Also things are tied up so quickly at the end that I wish it had been a little more detailed. Like okay they get to live a mostly normal life in a house, but does Moon get to see his dad's ever again? What about Kaydi and his family? Does he get to see them? What about the other alphas in the "program" what happened to them? Why do we never see them again after they all move into their apartments?
Just a few more loose ends being tied up would have helped to make this perfect, along with my other niggles.
But other than those things, I adored this. I was so invested in this story, in Moon and Kaydi's story, and how on earth they would get anything resembling a HEA with the situation they were in.
And still, it's now 100% perfect freedom for them both, but they get to a level of freedom that's better than it was before, by a long shot.
Overall, a great first outing with this author. I will definitely be reading more of her works. This was definitely a win for me overall.
👍 Two big thumbs up from me! 👍
This is Mpreg and non-shifter omega!verse, so if that isn't your thing, then this book isn't for you. But if it is your thing, continue reading this review to see if it's something you'll like as well.
In this world, betas rule. Two hundred years ago, there was a beta uprising against alphas, which they won.
Only problem is that now there is a beta crisis in which no beta can conceive. Think handmaid's tale, but omega!verse, and with male's instead of females. Because basically all alphas are used for is their sperm, and all omegas are used for is to breed from the alpha's sperm.
Also, alphas are looked at as too aggressive, as monsters, and so aren't seen in society. Instead they are put in jail, essentially, and used as sperm donors, in order to keep the whole human race going. Because alphas only take up 5% of the population, and with each generation that's sinking lower and lower. Omegas are commodity too because they only take up 15% of the population (and only about 8-9% are of age and in their 'breeding years'), and so the rest of the population are betas.
But whereas alphas are important to keep alive but are still treated like trash, because betas view them as mindless monsters, omegas aren't seen that way, so they are generally able to still live in society and get paid handsomely for each time they're pregnant.
Only for omegas, they never get to see or raise their children. They're taken and adopted by beta parents. Omega's only use is to get pregnant by artificial insemination. Omegas and alphas never even meet in life. Instead alphas are taken to a "milk machine" and their sperm is taken from there.
Moon, as he's been nicknamed by the beta guards, has been taken and in imprisoned since he was 15 years old when he presented as an alpha, and used as basically a cow since he was 18. He gets no choice in the matter, and he lives in hell, with no real freedom.
Even if his cell is made all pretty and he can request basically any material thing he wants (except guns and drugs, obvi), it's still a prison, no matter how prettied up it is.
There's 5 other alphas on his floor of the building all the alphas are imprisoned, down now to 4 other alphas because one of them managed to commit suicide. Moon kinda wishes for it too, but can't go through with it, at least not yet.
Now at 22, things change, because not only did that one alpha kill himself, there were four other suicides that year alone.
And less alphas means less chances for new babies to be born. So in order to try and keep the alphas happy, the beta council comes up with a new possible solution. Marrying omega and alphas together, and Moon's floor of 5 guys is chosen for this experiment.
Kaydi is an 18 year old omega, who has known he's an omega since he was 13 years old. Since then, he was taken out of regular public school and forced to take classes basically just about being omega, giving birth and how to take care of himself and be healthy so his babies can be healthy.
He doesn't want to be forced into a life of just being a baby maker just as much as Moon doesn't want it.
And when he's one of the 5 omega's chosen to be in the experimental program, he doesn't want that either. Just like Moon doesn't want it.
His whole life he was taught that alpha were monsters, to be scared of them, but when he meets Moon, he doesn't get that impression at all.
While Moon is standoffish, he's not a brute or monster at all.
Moon is scared of Kaydi at first, because he's scared of getting too close to him and losing control and hurting and/or raping him. Because just like Kaydi, all Moon as learned about himself is that he's a monster. Because he was taken away at 15, he's truly a virgin, just like Kaydi (both Alphas and Omegas are forbidden from being with anyone else in their lifetimes, because the betas believe they'll have the highest chance of getting pregnant and getting an omega pregnant if they aren't with others. That's especially a rule for omegas. They'll be pregnant many times in their lifetimes, but they can't actually have sex with anyone), and he has no idea how he'd actually act with a real omega with him.
He also doesn't want to get attached to Kaydi in a world where, even though they're put into a suite, not just a cell, and it's actually a full on apartment, there are still bars on the windows, and they can't get out of the apartments without guards coming to get them. Their lives still aren't truly their own. And also what if he got attached, and they took Kaydi away from him? That scared Moon too.
So things are tense at first, but eventually Kaydi's heat comes, and Kaydi is also just so kind and sweet, that Moon can't resist him for too long.
And when his heat comes, and they start to have sex, and it's proven that Moon doesn't lose his shit, his mind, his wherewithal, things get so much better between them.
It's not perfect at the end, but they even get to live in their own house by the end (with Moon not being able to leave the property and Kaydi having to hide his pregnancies so no beta knows they aren't betas, but still), which is a hell of a lot better than what they have for the majority of this book.
I did take a star off, but mainly because I felt like the heat could have been ramped up. Even the detailed sex scenes were just likable for me. They were fine, but they felt like they were over real quickly. Then there's a lot of skipping over any sex between them and us just being told they had a ton of sex. I would have liked to have scene some of that "tons of sex"
Also felt the ending was fairly rushed. They go from weary to liking each other to "the one for me, always and forever" type of love a little too fast. The build up was really good, just getting them to the in love state could have been a little smoother, maybe a little more drawn out.
I felt the love between them eventually, i just think the transition to that love could have been handled more effectively. Also things are tied up so quickly at the end that I wish it had been a little more detailed. Like okay they get to live a mostly normal life in a house, but does Moon get to see his dad's ever again? What about Kaydi and his family? Does he get to see them? What about the other alphas in the "program" what happened to them? Why do we never see them again after they all move into their apartments?
Just a few more loose ends being tied up would have helped to make this perfect, along with my other niggles.
But other than those things, I adored this. I was so invested in this story, in Moon and Kaydi's story, and how on earth they would get anything resembling a HEA with the situation they were in.
And still, it's now 100% perfect freedom for them both, but they get to a level of freedom that's better than it was before, by a long shot.
Overall, a great first outing with this author. I will definitely be reading more of her works. This was definitely a win for me overall.
👍 Two big thumbs up from me! 👍
October 28, 2022
it was ok but definitely dragged at times.
June 3, 2025
3 that was delicious stars!
I feel totally unapologetic that I liked this kinky non-con medical fetish Alpha/omega non-shifter book. It's difficult to call it a kink or a medical fetish since it's a kind of post-apocalyptic story where those things were simply done to the captive Alpha MCs. But still, those scenes were delicious and pushed all my kinky buttons.
The ending for me is a rather very tentative HFN but I guess in this world/these circumstances it's the best HEA that Moon/Aki and Kaydi could wish for.
The plot is simple and a bit insta-ish, though the build-up to the whole Omega heat situation was a rather nice introduction to this Beta-ruled world and Moon's and Kaydi's stories.
So, mind the trigger warnings, expect some kinky (but not-BDSM kind-y) scenes of medical milking/stimulation, some humiliation and a very sweet and heart-warming Alpha/Omega relationship.
I feel totally unapologetic that I liked this kinky non-con medical fetish Alpha/omega non-shifter book. It's difficult to call it a kink or a medical fetish since it's a kind of post-apocalyptic story where those things were simply done to the captive Alpha MCs. But still, those scenes were delicious and pushed all my kinky buttons.
The ending for me is a rather very tentative HFN but I guess in this world/these circumstances it's the best HEA that Moon/Aki and Kaydi could wish for.
The plot is simple and a bit insta-ish, though the build-up to the whole Omega heat situation was a rather nice introduction to this Beta-ruled world and Moon's and Kaydi's stories.
So, mind the trigger warnings, expect some kinky (but not-BDSM kind-y) scenes of medical milking/stimulation, some humiliation and a very sweet and heart-warming Alpha/Omega relationship.
May 23, 2021
This had an interesting setup, I like reading different takes on the Alpha/Omega/Beta dynamics but it was also extremely boring. It took forever for the MC to interact, everything was pretty gloomy and it was hard to keep interest. I kept waiting for something to change, especially when there was a mention of some groups ab salvation. In the end everything remains the same, Kaidi manages to get some freedoms for them although it wasn t explained how or why. He was witty in how he convinced their warden to stop taking Aki to the fleecing room, but for the rest they had nothing else to bargain with so them having a house in the real world made no sense, Kaydi wished it and bam the next chapter he had it.
August 5, 2021
Not a true happy ending.
More of a fucked up happy for now
More of a fucked up happy for now
May 19, 2021
Moon: Captive Alpha’s is the first book in the series. Author Wendy Rathbone does an amazing job of bring emotional angst and creating a world I just want more of. This story is told in dual POV and I felt it was essential to the telling of this story.
Moon: or Aki he is a strong Alpha. He is smart. He is brave, and he knows when to fight and went to back down. He has been through hell and back, but he still retains his soul through it all.
Kaydi : he is full of hope, wonder, and sunshine. He is the saving grace to Moon. I also liked that Kaydi is a fighter and will stand up for what is right no matter what.
This story was just beautifully done. I was completely emotionally invested in both characters. I am also wanting to know more about this world. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves a romance with a range of emotions that will have you laughing, crying, and falling in love all at once.
Five Shooting Stars and a Recommended read
Moon: or Aki he is a strong Alpha. He is smart. He is brave, and he knows when to fight and went to back down. He has been through hell and back, but he still retains his soul through it all.
Kaydi : he is full of hope, wonder, and sunshine. He is the saving grace to Moon. I also liked that Kaydi is a fighter and will stand up for what is right no matter what.
This story was just beautifully done. I was completely emotionally invested in both characters. I am also wanting to know more about this world. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves a romance with a range of emotions that will have you laughing, crying, and falling in love all at once.
Five Shooting Stars and a Recommended read
Read
July 23, 2024DNF @ 75%
This is like Handmaid’s Tale meets Omegaverse except instead of escaping our MCs are thrust into another experiment - arranged marriage.
It was okay, pretty effed up world and obviously not helping the birth rate so idk why they continued keeping alphas and omegas separate for so long. My issue was that I just didn’t care about these two together. They didn’t really talk and then suddenly Moon cares so much for Kaydi. Also a lot of emphasis was placed on Kaydi being a virgin… but so was Moon and just because he watched more porn doesn’t actually make him more experienced. Add in the awkward language during sex and I was done. Onwards and upwards!
This is like Handmaid’s Tale meets Omegaverse except instead of escaping our MCs are thrust into another experiment - arranged marriage.
It was okay, pretty effed up world and obviously not helping the birth rate so idk why they continued keeping alphas and omegas separate for so long. My issue was that I just didn’t care about these two together. They didn’t really talk and then suddenly Moon cares so much for Kaydi. Also a lot of emphasis was placed on Kaydi being a virgin… but so was Moon and just because he watched more porn doesn’t actually make him more experienced. Add in the awkward language during sex and I was done. Onwards and upwards!
May 21, 2021
KAYDI WITH A D
This is Book #1 in Captive Alphas. This is the newest non shifter Alpha/Omega universal offering by WENDY RATHBONE. Her sense of humor shines through these characters at just the right moments. Moon is an Alpha, a King, except he's being held against his will. Kaydi is a newly legal Omega beginning his destined role in society. They are governed by Beta Rule. Crazy right!! I was immediately taken with this book. Dark times are lifted in all the right places by this authors ability to find something funny in any scenario. This is a brand new take on the roles these characters are forced to take in their lives. I enjoyed this so much. I loved Kaydi's quirky way of dressing and Moon's fear of Kaydi. You'll see what I mean when YOU read it. WENDY RATHBONE thank you for a whole new world for me to discover. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
This is Book #1 in Captive Alphas. This is the newest non shifter Alpha/Omega universal offering by WENDY RATHBONE. Her sense of humor shines through these characters at just the right moments. Moon is an Alpha, a King, except he's being held against his will. Kaydi is a newly legal Omega beginning his destined role in society. They are governed by Beta Rule. Crazy right!! I was immediately taken with this book. Dark times are lifted in all the right places by this authors ability to find something funny in any scenario. This is a brand new take on the roles these characters are forced to take in their lives. I enjoyed this so much. I loved Kaydi's quirky way of dressing and Moon's fear of Kaydi. You'll see what I mean when YOU read it. WENDY RATHBONE thank you for a whole new world for me to discover. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
July 2, 2021
A bit bleak
I’ve never read an ABO that was quite this bleak before. Alphas are kept prisoners and basically used for their fluids. It’s very dystopian.
Omega’s are duty bound to be pregnant all their lives.
It was VERY depressing. The betas rule with an iron and very cruel fist.
I really did not like this universe at all.
The MCs were what saved the book for me as I stopped several times having a hard time with this depressing story. It ends on a hopeful note. Well as hopeful as things get in a dystopia.
I’ve never read an ABO that was quite this bleak before. Alphas are kept prisoners and basically used for their fluids. It’s very dystopian.
Omega’s are duty bound to be pregnant all their lives.
It was VERY depressing. The betas rule with an iron and very cruel fist.
I really did not like this universe at all.
The MCs were what saved the book for me as I stopped several times having a hard time with this depressing story. It ends on a hopeful note. Well as hopeful as things get in a dystopia.
October 27, 2024
What is a soulbond?
Interesting! The world building is fantastically horrifying! The compassion and anxiety I felt for these two was surprising! I had a very hard time putting this book down. The slow burn is real and expected with the circumstances and then the spice is so sweet and sexy.
Interesting! The world building is fantastically horrifying! The compassion and anxiety I felt for these two was surprising! I had a very hard time putting this book down. The slow burn is real and expected with the circumstances and then the spice is so sweet and sexy.
May 21, 2021
Such a beautiful story
A very different take on the Alpha and Omega universe. Believable and heartwarming characters that make you want more. I loved thus author before this story but I love reading her even more now. Hopefully we will get to learn more about the fates of the other Alphas introduced in this book. I could definitely see this as a multibook series from one of the best Alpha/omegaverse writers in this genre.
A very different take on the Alpha and Omega universe. Believable and heartwarming characters that make you want more. I loved thus author before this story but I love reading her even more now. Hopefully we will get to learn more about the fates of the other Alphas introduced in this book. I could definitely see this as a multibook series from one of the best Alpha/omegaverse writers in this genre.
May 25, 2021
Interesting take
This was a really interesting viewpoint on omegaverse. I was really pulled into the story. I thought that Kaydi was incredibly fierce.
This was a really interesting viewpoint on omegaverse. I was really pulled into the story. I thought that Kaydi was incredibly fierce.
July 25, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
This was just a fun and easy read! I have found to get the MM omegaverse story right it takes a really fine balance and the author absolutely hit the nail on the head!
I loved that this was lore of a dystopian society where Betas had control and essentially had the alphas and omegas imprisoned.
The relationship and caring build up that Moon and Kaydi had was so lovely and I loved that they built a friendship first and supported each other through the trauma that the Betas put them through.
🌶️🌶️
This was just a fun and easy read! I have found to get the MM omegaverse story right it takes a really fine balance and the author absolutely hit the nail on the head!
I loved that this was lore of a dystopian society where Betas had control and essentially had the alphas and omegas imprisoned.
The relationship and caring build up that Moon and Kaydi had was so lovely and I loved that they built a friendship first and supported each other through the trauma that the Betas put them through.
May 25, 2021
this was amazing.. so much fun and different.. i love a good mpreg story and this was so different because normally we dont see betas at all in books.. this one they rule. it was really well written and the characters made me curious. i liked it
October 20, 2021
Loved this spin on omegaverse. My only complaints are that we didn't get enough time with the MC's. The author decided to use time skips so we don't get to see how they adjust and grow together in this messed up situation. This ends with unanswered questions and a sorta HFN.
October 15, 2021
Promising start, interesting background.
But became cringey and meh from 70% onwards.
But became cringey and meh from 70% onwards.
February 4, 2024
Not for me. It only gets 2 stars because the writing is *technically* fine, and I got it for free.
First: this is not an HEA. I don’t know how you can call it that. The MCs end up doing exactly what their masters demand of them and only get a slightly looser leash as a result. There’s no satisfying rebellion or social movement.
It’s torture porn. Forced breeding, obviously, but also dehumanization, humiliation, abuse, invasive medical “procedures,” etc. The ruling betas treat the alphas and omegas as objects or specimens, not people. They’re harassed and abused constantly.
Look. I love a dystopian a/b/o society where people are fighting for rights, but there’s no liberation here, or even an attempt at it. Not even satisfying behavioral rebellion. I was literally rooting for the MCs to unalive themselves and burn the place down if they’d do nothing else. Instead, they did exactly what the betas demanded of them, and only “rebelled” by Yay?
I was honestly so irritated by the lack of even verbal rebellion than I stopped caring what happened. At one point, one MC says “we can’t raise kids in a prison” or something like that, and I expected more of that? Like if the whole problem is alphas and omegas dying out because of horrible living conditions, you gotta call ‘em out on that. But… that was it. They didn’t. They just endured, but it’s okay because they’re in love? Nah. Pass.
First: this is not an HEA. I don’t know how you can call it that. The MCs end up doing exactly what their masters demand of them and only get a slightly looser leash as a result. There’s no satisfying rebellion or social movement.
It’s torture porn. Forced breeding, obviously, but also dehumanization, humiliation, abuse, invasive medical “procedures,” etc. The ruling betas treat the alphas and omegas as objects or specimens, not people. They’re harassed and abused constantly.
Look. I love a dystopian a/b/o society where people are fighting for rights, but there’s no liberation here, or even an attempt at it. Not even satisfying behavioral rebellion. I was literally rooting for the MCs to unalive themselves and burn the place down if they’d do nothing else. Instead, they did exactly what the betas demanded of them, and only “rebelled” by Yay?
I was honestly so irritated by the lack of even verbal rebellion than I stopped caring what happened. At one point, one MC says “we can’t raise kids in a prison” or something like that, and I expected more of that? Like if the whole problem is alphas and omegas dying out because of horrible living conditions, you gotta call ‘em out on that. But… that was it. They didn’t. They just endured, but it’s okay because they’re in love? Nah. Pass.
May 20, 2021
Moon is the first book in the ‘Captive Alphas’ series. It stars Moon, an alpha, and Kaydi, an omega. This story is told in first person from both Moon and Kaydi’s pov.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am giving my honest and unbiased opinion.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am giving my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 21, 2021
Amazing and different new mm series
I enjoyed this book a lot. I like the unique world building and the idea of a society in crisis has many echoes in our world today. In this world the big crisis is that having overthrown the ruling Alphas with their harems of Omegas the Betas are now realizing that the system they had replaced it with is not working and there are fewer and fewer babies being born. So an experiment is tried of matching one Alpha to one Omega. There are very dark elements to this book especially the way that the Alphas are treated. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as it comes out as there were quite a few hints about possible future story lines.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I like the unique world building and the idea of a society in crisis has many echoes in our world today. In this world the big crisis is that having overthrown the ruling Alphas with their harems of Omegas the Betas are now realizing that the system they had replaced it with is not working and there are fewer and fewer babies being born. So an experiment is tried of matching one Alpha to one Omega. There are very dark elements to this book especially the way that the Alphas are treated. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as it comes out as there were quite a few hints about possible future story lines.
July 22, 2023
Going to start this review by saying that was not expecting to like this as much as I did! It is a very nice surprise. I actually started this by curiosity but wasnt planning on reading this at the moment which makes is even more surprising (and I am now noticing that the books that dont come with a lot of expectation are the ones I enjoy the most).
So first of all, I really liked the writting style. I am unfortunately a picky reader, the type to dnf a book within the first pages because I dont like the way its written or minor details, I want to have a good timw reading and not having my pet peeves being shoved down my throat. This was nice! Despite me not being a fan of 1st person with dual pov, it managed to capture me from the start. Its a very interesting take in omegaverse, a world where betas rules over the rest and have captive alphas for the "purpose" of breeding and not letting population die.
Here comes our first MC, 22 years old 'Moon' (not his real name) whos one of the captive alphas. The system is dystopian, since there is an oppressive goverment, not offering an out besides going to jail if alphas or omegas break the rules. Now we have our second MC, Kaydin, whos 18 years old and is called by the goverment to get impregnated. Omegas in this world, according to the goverment, only serve for one purpose: getting bred and having lots of children. However, Kaydin does not want to settle with what is expected of him. He makes it very clear it is not the life he would have wanted. But there is no option left for him, so he tries to think about it as his future. However, the plan he had known regarding his later inseminated pregnancies comes to a stop when, after his exams, he gets called for a program where he would have to spend his life with an alpha, to have a family, sort of an arranged marriage that comes with conditions and isolation. This gets complicated because Moon does not want to cooperate, because he is afraid of losing control in frnt of an omega, he does not want to do any non consensual act for both.
I really liked how the characters were fleshed out. It is the bare minimun for a good book, but sadly it is not that common especially in omegaverse. Despite both having trouble at the beginning, because of their situation, they notice their beliefs and worries were the same, so it was best that they had each other to overcome said difficulties. I think it was nice that the relationship took its time to develop. I would not say it is a slow burn, because it is actually a bit insta-connenction or lust? I do believe some few chapters of them getting closer to each other before the heat would have been awesome, but it doesnt take away my enjoyment. I thought about it a lot actually, because I am not an insta-anything person at all (though maybe I can let it pass in an omegaverse only), but I came to the conclusion that, in their circuntances, it could not have been possible. The heat wasinminent, and they had too little time to actually establish something before that. I actually think it works this time because they get to know each other little by little, through intimacy such as touches, closeness, having another person in their personal space, and that is a good point, since some books take sex as the "consumation" part only, but it actually can become one method to get closer to another person since they share an act of intimacy together. Kudos to the author for that approach, werther it was intentional or not it was what I took away from it.
While the story ends in a HFN, I believe it was the best way to do it. Both MCs did not have any power. That, adding to the fact that the book is not long and there are others in this series that can explore more of this theme on the background. Despite how it was obvious that the system could not be defeated so soon, both Aki and Kaydin made it work for them, and it was very pleasant to see their family and the love they cultivated despite being forced to a fucked up arrangment. Then again, they were a match, so in a way it was expected of them, though that doesnt make it right. At least they could get a happy ending in thei own way.
Now, after so much praise I have to explain the reason of the 4 stars rating. Though I really enjoyed it, I think the story would have benefited if it had more chapters. I would have definitely loved it a bit more if we got to see how Kaydin played with their rules into their benefit, as well as the pregnancy. We got a bit at the epilogue, but I wanted to be shown and not told! But as I said, it doesnt take away how much fun I had with this, since the book never gave away that it wanted to be more than what it was, a light read (despite the themes) and that is completely fine.
I also wanted to add that I found it made sense how the world was build up. A revolution from resentment, leading to captivity. There was a line that I really liked that made a good summary of their circunstances: "The only difference for omegas now was that betas, not alphas, held control over them. [...] There was no esteem for those who were outcast from society as unwanted or dangerous. And there was never respect for anyone who lived in a cage". No mental health taken into consideration, it was expected what would happen in such environment, since oppressive goverments never do until there is a decrease in the statistics they want to control. I hope that we can see more development regarding the context in the next books, I will for sure keep reading!
So first of all, I really liked the writting style. I am unfortunately a picky reader, the type to dnf a book within the first pages because I dont like the way its written or minor details, I want to have a good timw reading and not having my pet peeves being shoved down my throat. This was nice! Despite me not being a fan of 1st person with dual pov, it managed to capture me from the start. Its a very interesting take in omegaverse, a world where betas rules over the rest and have captive alphas for the "purpose" of breeding and not letting population die.
Here comes our first MC, 22 years old 'Moon' (not his real name) whos one of the captive alphas. The system is dystopian, since there is an oppressive goverment, not offering an out besides going to jail if alphas or omegas break the rules. Now we have our second MC, Kaydin, whos 18 years old and is called by the goverment to get impregnated. Omegas in this world, according to the goverment, only serve for one purpose: getting bred and having lots of children. However, Kaydin does not want to settle with what is expected of him. He makes it very clear it is not the life he would have wanted. But there is no option left for him, so he tries to think about it as his future. However, the plan he had known regarding his later inseminated pregnancies comes to a stop when, after his exams, he gets called for a program where he would have to spend his life with an alpha, to have a family, sort of an arranged marriage that comes with conditions and isolation. This gets complicated because Moon does not want to cooperate, because he is afraid of losing control in frnt of an omega, he does not want to do any non consensual act for both.
I really liked how the characters were fleshed out. It is the bare minimun for a good book, but sadly it is not that common especially in omegaverse. Despite both having trouble at the beginning, because of their situation, they notice their beliefs and worries were the same, so it was best that they had each other to overcome said difficulties. I think it was nice that the relationship took its time to develop. I would not say it is a slow burn, because it is actually a bit insta-connenction or lust? I do believe some few chapters of them getting closer to each other before the heat would have been awesome, but it doesnt take away my enjoyment. I thought about it a lot actually, because I am not an insta-anything person at all (though maybe I can let it pass in an omegaverse only), but I came to the conclusion that, in their circuntances, it could not have been possible. The heat wasinminent, and they had too little time to actually establish something before that. I actually think it works this time because they get to know each other little by little, through intimacy such as touches, closeness, having another person in their personal space, and that is a good point, since some books take sex as the "consumation" part only, but it actually can become one method to get closer to another person since they share an act of intimacy together. Kudos to the author for that approach, werther it was intentional or not it was what I took away from it.
While the story ends in a HFN, I believe it was the best way to do it. Both MCs did not have any power. That, adding to the fact that the book is not long and there are others in this series that can explore more of this theme on the background. Despite how it was obvious that the system could not be defeated so soon, both Aki and Kaydin made it work for them, and it was very pleasant to see their family and the love they cultivated despite being forced to a fucked up arrangment. Then again, they were a match, so in a way it was expected of them, though that doesnt make it right. At least they could get a happy ending in thei own way.
Now, after so much praise I have to explain the reason of the 4 stars rating. Though I really enjoyed it, I think the story would have benefited if it had more chapters. I would have definitely loved it a bit more if we got to see how Kaydin played with their rules into their benefit, as well as the pregnancy. We got a bit at the epilogue, but I wanted to be shown and not told! But as I said, it doesnt take away how much fun I had with this, since the book never gave away that it wanted to be more than what it was, a light read (despite the themes) and that is completely fine.
I also wanted to add that I found it made sense how the world was build up. A revolution from resentment, leading to captivity. There was a line that I really liked that made a good summary of their circunstances: "The only difference for omegas now was that betas, not alphas, held control over them. [...] There was no esteem for those who were outcast from society as unwanted or dangerous. And there was never respect for anyone who lived in a cage". No mental health taken into consideration, it was expected what would happen in such environment, since oppressive goverments never do until there is a decrease in the statistics they want to control. I hope that we can see more development regarding the context in the next books, I will for sure keep reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2021
While I loved this story, it still made me sad they were still “prisoners” of that life. I was really hoping for a rebellion of Alpha’s in the end. Wishful thinking I guess.
June 18, 2021
2.5 stars: an anti climatic ending. I was expecting more of a full on rebellion.
September 4, 2023
I feel oddly... disappointed? because of the happy ending? I don't know...
I enjoyed this, even if I had a lot of niggles that I wished had either been explored or done differently. But it was easily read and I liked the world the author had built. I will probably read the rest of the series too.
But I really need to talk about this, so brace yourselves lol. Spoilers ahead.
********************
I feel like a perv, but my dark little heart absolutely love-love-loved! the post-apocalyptic setting of an ABO world run by Betas with an iron fist and the Alphas and Omegas kept as "breeding stock".
I thoroughly enjoyed the start of the story, even if there was a slight dissonance between the fact that they could actually talk to each other and how afraid the betas seemed to be. Why would you allow them to communicate then? I know the only ones who did communicate were the twins, but still, if Moon and Cold had wanted to, they could have schemed together.
I was also slightly disappointed that no more was said about the apparent high suicide rate amongst the alphas, I would have liked a pov chapter from the Warden or an all-knowing narrator telling us, how that came about? How did they do it? Surely they were monitored closely enough that a hunger strike or refusal to drink would have been out of the question, they would have just force-fed them or hydrated them intravenously or something. Was there a black market where beta helpers smuggled in drugs for them to OD on? How?
Although it wasn't said, I presume that the experiment of placing alphas and omegas together came about in part due to these problems - the breeding stock dying off young is obviously very problematic - but it felt a bit too "fluffy and caring" to me. I get why they would put them together in a seemingly "natural habitat" kind of thing, (even if in the setting them only meeting for heats would have made more sense) but why would they allow them to raise their children together? Surely you would grab those kids at birth and make sure they were raised with beta families who would ensure that the "duty-brainwashing" continued, in case they presented as alphas or omegas? The risk of the children developing "dangerous ideas" about how their parents were treated seems waaaaaay too high in my opinion. Unless the beta council truly believed that the alphas and omegas were either mentally stunted or completely brainwashed to the point where they would willingly and happily perform their duty to society. And they obviously did not believe that judging by the way they kept them, and feared the alphas.
The ending completely spoiled the original idea, because house arrest or not, Moon was still an Alpha on the loose, a concept that was supposedly completely out of the question at the beginning of the book, due to their dangerous and aggressive natures. The original premise was that Omegas could be on the loose, kept in check by pampering them to do their duty under the law. But alphas were kept under lock and key from puberty, forced to do their duty in chains and under the threat of tasers and violence. There were always two guards on Moon, just to transport him to and from his cell... Going from that to an ankle bracelet out in society didn't make sense in the world the author had built for me - neither did the "beta scent deodorant"... betas couldn't scent alphas and omegas and no other alphas were allowed to roam free in society. Another omega could have potentially scented Kaydi, I guess, but what harm would that have done? Moon couldn't leave his house, so no one would scent him... anyway...
Also, what was the side plot with the guards all about? There were tantalizing tidbits about the two main guards Dayton and Regi, but then they just disappeared. Why? Was there an original idea about maybe Regi trying to help Moon and Keydi escape, that the author then abandoned to go with the house arrest idea? Or will that side plot develop further in another book? I have questions.
I enjoyed this, even if I had a lot of niggles that I wished had either been explored or done differently. But it was easily read and I liked the world the author had built. I will probably read the rest of the series too.
But I really need to talk about this, so brace yourselves lol. Spoilers ahead.
********************
I feel like a perv, but my dark little heart absolutely love-love-loved! the post-apocalyptic setting of an ABO world run by Betas with an iron fist and the Alphas and Omegas kept as "breeding stock".
I thoroughly enjoyed the start of the story, even if there was a slight dissonance between the fact that they could actually talk to each other and how afraid the betas seemed to be. Why would you allow them to communicate then? I know the only ones who did communicate were the twins, but still, if Moon and Cold had wanted to, they could have schemed together.
I was also slightly disappointed that no more was said about the apparent high suicide rate amongst the alphas, I would have liked a pov chapter from the Warden or an all-knowing narrator telling us, how that came about? How did they do it? Surely they were monitored closely enough that a hunger strike or refusal to drink would have been out of the question, they would have just force-fed them or hydrated them intravenously or something. Was there a black market where beta helpers smuggled in drugs for them to OD on? How?
Although it wasn't said, I presume that the experiment of placing alphas and omegas together came about in part due to these problems - the breeding stock dying off young is obviously very problematic - but it felt a bit too "fluffy and caring" to me. I get why they would put them together in a seemingly "natural habitat" kind of thing, (even if in the setting them only meeting for heats would have made more sense) but why would they allow them to raise their children together? Surely you would grab those kids at birth and make sure they were raised with beta families who would ensure that the "duty-brainwashing" continued, in case they presented as alphas or omegas? The risk of the children developing "dangerous ideas" about how their parents were treated seems waaaaaay too high in my opinion. Unless the beta council truly believed that the alphas and omegas were either mentally stunted or completely brainwashed to the point where they would willingly and happily perform their duty to society. And they obviously did not believe that judging by the way they kept them, and feared the alphas.
The ending completely spoiled the original idea, because house arrest or not, Moon was still an Alpha on the loose, a concept that was supposedly completely out of the question at the beginning of the book, due to their dangerous and aggressive natures. The original premise was that Omegas could be on the loose, kept in check by pampering them to do their duty under the law. But alphas were kept under lock and key from puberty, forced to do their duty in chains and under the threat of tasers and violence. There were always two guards on Moon, just to transport him to and from his cell... Going from that to an ankle bracelet out in society didn't make sense in the world the author had built for me - neither did the "beta scent deodorant"... betas couldn't scent alphas and omegas and no other alphas were allowed to roam free in society. Another omega could have potentially scented Kaydi, I guess, but what harm would that have done? Moon couldn't leave his house, so no one would scent him... anyway...
Also, what was the side plot with the guards all about? There were tantalizing tidbits about the two main guards Dayton and Regi, but then they just disappeared. Why? Was there an original idea about maybe Regi trying to help Moon and Keydi escape, that the author then abandoned to go with the house arrest idea? Or will that side plot develop further in another book? I have questions.
January 8, 2024
5 stars
I have so much to share about this book! Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a well-crafted dystopian romance with a meticulously constructed world and rules. The emotional intensity was palpable, often bringing tears to my eyes. I stumbled upon a couple of beautiful quotes, though regrettably, I accidentally closed the file and lost them—except for this one:
"His scent became that of fresh blooming flowers. Every single day I was greeted with the bouquet of him."
There was another memorable quote when Kaydi mentioned that Moon smelled like immortality! :)
Initially, I had the urge to read this book but was dissuaded after reading a few discouraging reviews on Goodreads. However, I saw it recommended on one Facebook group yesterday, and it prompted me to give it another try. My intuition was right— it was anything like some reviews suggested.
It's shocking how reviews can significantly impact one's perception of a book. They can discourage readers even when the book might be a good fit for them.
While I understand that book preferences are highly subjective, I wish people would describe their experiences with them more systematically and objectively. Focusing on both the positive and negative aspects, rather than hyper-focusing on fleeting, subjective feelings, but try to provide a fairer assessment for a broader audience. It really can make a difference and reviews can be very, very helpful if done right!
This book evoked a range of emotions in me—shivers, tears, intense stares at the screen, a mix of disturbance and happiness—all at once! The romance was nicely done, subtle at first, but then spreading it's wings. I absolutely adore the author's dialogue style, which some criticize but I find sweet, awkward, and authentically real. It's precisely the style I love.
The intimate scenes were quite steamy—I wouldn't have minded more of them!
Overall, this book is really good and satisfying.
I'm eager to explore more works by this author and won't allow myself to be discouraged, knowing I might miss out on something great!
I have so much to share about this book! Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a well-crafted dystopian romance with a meticulously constructed world and rules. The emotional intensity was palpable, often bringing tears to my eyes. I stumbled upon a couple of beautiful quotes, though regrettably, I accidentally closed the file and lost them—except for this one:
"His scent became that of fresh blooming flowers. Every single day I was greeted with the bouquet of him."
There was another memorable quote when Kaydi mentioned that Moon smelled like immortality! :)
Initially, I had the urge to read this book but was dissuaded after reading a few discouraging reviews on Goodreads. However, I saw it recommended on one Facebook group yesterday, and it prompted me to give it another try. My intuition was right— it was anything like some reviews suggested.
It's shocking how reviews can significantly impact one's perception of a book. They can discourage readers even when the book might be a good fit for them.
While I understand that book preferences are highly subjective, I wish people would describe their experiences with them more systematically and objectively. Focusing on both the positive and negative aspects, rather than hyper-focusing on fleeting, subjective feelings, but try to provide a fairer assessment for a broader audience. It really can make a difference and reviews can be very, very helpful if done right!
This book evoked a range of emotions in me—shivers, tears, intense stares at the screen, a mix of disturbance and happiness—all at once! The romance was nicely done, subtle at first, but then spreading it's wings. I absolutely adore the author's dialogue style, which some criticize but I find sweet, awkward, and authentically real. It's precisely the style I love.
The intimate scenes were quite steamy—I wouldn't have minded more of them!
Overall, this book is really good and satisfying.
I'm eager to explore more works by this author and won't allow myself to be discouraged, knowing I might miss out on something great!
May 25, 2021
A dystopian society ruled by betas.
Alphas and Omegas aren't even 2nd class citizens. Their only purpose is to breed. An intriguing concept/plot line. One I haven't come across before. In a beta-ruled world where betas are sterile and population growth is at stake, the breeding of alphas and omegas is strictly controlled. Moon (who real name is Akilio but is referred to as Aki) lives in a locked cell where his alpha emissions are monitored, forcibly collected and stored. Kaydi is an omega whose fated future is to live on a pension and, through artificial insemination, gestate as many fetuses to full-term as his body permits. He is not allowed to marry. He is not allowed to keep his babies.
When both men are chosen to participate in a new beta-approved program of arranged marriage and a forced family unit, they are thrown together into close living quarters as utter strangers to each other.
With Kaydi about to go into heat, the two face conflicts involving their duty to society, lack of freedom in a controlled environment, and compatibility issues. In what the betas believe is a controlled situation Moon and Kaydi are forced into a domicile environment but one that both thrive in as they fall in love and conceive. This, to me, is a truly unique theme that left me with pondering thoughts. I received an ARC of this book via Prolificworks.
Alphas and Omegas aren't even 2nd class citizens. Their only purpose is to breed. An intriguing concept/plot line. One I haven't come across before. In a beta-ruled world where betas are sterile and population growth is at stake, the breeding of alphas and omegas is strictly controlled. Moon (who real name is Akilio but is referred to as Aki) lives in a locked cell where his alpha emissions are monitored, forcibly collected and stored. Kaydi is an omega whose fated future is to live on a pension and, through artificial insemination, gestate as many fetuses to full-term as his body permits. He is not allowed to marry. He is not allowed to keep his babies.
When both men are chosen to participate in a new beta-approved program of arranged marriage and a forced family unit, they are thrown together into close living quarters as utter strangers to each other.
With Kaydi about to go into heat, the two face conflicts involving their duty to society, lack of freedom in a controlled environment, and compatibility issues. In what the betas believe is a controlled situation Moon and Kaydi are forced into a domicile environment but one that both thrive in as they fall in love and conceive. This, to me, is a truly unique theme that left me with pondering thoughts. I received an ARC of this book via Prolificworks.
November 17, 2023
This was so depressing! The world that was depicted was such a downer. Betas were the majority of the population and they controlled everything. There were very few alphas and from about the age of 15 they were taken from their families and locked away alone. Once or twice a week they were marched down to be "milked" by machines for their sperm. They were virgins and this was their life-- never to marry or have kids of their own to raise.
Omegas were only a little better. They, too, were taken from their families at a young age and they were inseminated and kept constantly pregnant. They were not allowed to raise their children--the betas adopted them and raised them.
So, Moon and Kaydi were the lucky ones who were selected for a new program where an alpha and an omega were locked away in a place together and actually got to have sex to get pregnant. AND they were allowed to keep and raise their kids. However, the alpha was still to produce endless supplies of sperm. (He didn't have to go to the milking machine-- instead he got to fill up countless cups which were then frozen and collected by the betas.)
There was no HEA as far as I'm concerned. That's no way to live. Maybe as the series progresses the world might change and alphas and omegas might get their freedom, but I won't be reading any of the other books, so I guess I'll never know.
Omegas were only a little better. They, too, were taken from their families at a young age and they were inseminated and kept constantly pregnant. They were not allowed to raise their children--the betas adopted them and raised them.
So, Moon and Kaydi were the lucky ones who were selected for a new program where an alpha and an omega were locked away in a place together and actually got to have sex to get pregnant. AND they were allowed to keep and raise their kids. However, the alpha was still to produce endless supplies of sperm. (He didn't have to go to the milking machine-- instead he got to fill up countless cups which were then frozen and collected by the betas.)
There was no HEA as far as I'm concerned. That's no way to live. Maybe as the series progresses the world might change and alphas and omegas might get their freedom, but I won't be reading any of the other books, so I guess I'll never know.
May 2, 2024
3⭐ (closer to a 4 than a 2). this could have easily been a 4 star book. the dystopian omegaverse setting was unique and really interesting. the characters were likeable and decently fleshed out despite how short this is-- which is kinda my biggest issue with this book: it's short. or rather, it feels unfinished. 90% of the book is sheer misery, 5% is small pockets of hope and warmth, 5% is actual joy. we're introduced to this barbaric system and injustice and then it feels like there's no denouement. I feel sad. I struggle to think of this as a HEA.
at all
. I don't think there's anything happy about it, to be honest. it's a fatalistic ending, at best. I want to read the other books in this series but I feel like when I do, in the back of my mind, I'll be struck with thoughts of kaydi and moon, existing somewhere in the same timeline, under the conditions laid out for them at the end of this book. and then I'll probably be momentarily overcome with a feeling of despair.
and that's what I felt throughout 95% of this book: crushing despair. so: calling this a HEA is a stretch, in my opinion. 3⭐.
and that's what I felt throughout 95% of this book: crushing despair. so: calling this a HEA is a stretch, in my opinion. 3⭐.
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