What do you think?
Rate this book
Feral Hearts #1
Feral Hearts
To save the one he loves, he must face the beast within.
Alex isn’t a traditional alpha—he’s gentle, awkward, and caring. He also has no desire to assume leadership of the Black Moon Pack once his father steps down.
Talen is an omega stray, taken in by Alex’s parents and raised as his brother. He’s also straight, emotionally damaged, and the love of Alex’s life.
Now of age, Talen is forced into the role of an omega—those treated little better than slaves. Worse yet, the monster inside of Alex has awoken and set its sights on Talen. The beast will stop at nothing to get what it wants, even if it takes the whole world down to do it.
Alex must face his worst nightmares if he ever has a chance at protecting Talen. Is he strong enough to bring them together, or will he lose Talen along with the pack?
This three-book series tells a continuous story with a resolution at the end of book three.
Friends to Lovers. Childhood friends. Childhood friends to lovers. Gay for you. Alpha-Omega. Omegaverse. Soul Mates. Fated Mates.
Alex isn’t a traditional alpha—he’s gentle, awkward, and caring. He also has no desire to assume leadership of the Black Moon Pack once his father steps down.
Talen is an omega stray, taken in by Alex’s parents and raised as his brother. He’s also straight, emotionally damaged, and the love of Alex’s life.
Now of age, Talen is forced into the role of an omega—those treated little better than slaves. Worse yet, the monster inside of Alex has awoken and set its sights on Talen. The beast will stop at nothing to get what it wants, even if it takes the whole world down to do it.
Alex must face his worst nightmares if he ever has a chance at protecting Talen. Is he strong enough to bring them together, or will he lose Talen along with the pack?
This three-book series tells a continuous story with a resolution at the end of book three.
Friends to Lovers. Childhood friends. Childhood friends to lovers. Gay for you. Alpha-Omega. Omegaverse. Soul Mates. Fated Mates.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
15 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Melissa E. Costa
10 books39 followersMelissa writes character-driven fiction, and any genre is fair game! When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, anime and gaming. Living by the motto of trying all things twice, Melissa has jumped out of a perfectly good plane, swam with manatees, dove head first into Alice’s rabbit hole, and seduced classy ladies in 6-inch heels. A free-spirited bohemian, she currently lives in artsy St. Petersburg, Florida with her soulmate and their two, adorably needy cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 4, 2021
I was so excited when I read the blurb on this one. I really wanted to get into it and enjoy it. Sadly that didn’t really happen until towards the very end; which ends in a cliffhanger.
It was very difficult to get into the story. There is no prologue giving you a background or a history and readers feel very dropped into the middle of the story and a bit lost.
The main characters are very intriguing but yet you feel as if you are missing a piece of what makes them who they are by not having a true picture of their background. Eventually you get there and start seeing pieces of their past but it takes almost until the very end of the book.
The universe created for this story seems somewhat incomplete and inconsistent. Several times I had to go back and re-read some of the interactions that were the societal basis. There is also a very medieval hierarchy/caste system at play. Which leads to an entire demographic of people being treated as less than or slaves. If you are looking for a true omega verse this is not for you.
There are possible triggers in this as well such as childhood trauma. It is hinted at and then some what confirmed by the end of the book. Also somewhat troublesome and triggering is the hunting of feral werewolves. There are a lot more questions than answers on why this practice is allowed to persist; this plot line is one of the most uncertain and disturbing, as information is brought to light it seems contradictory why they would allow this instead of a natural progression to happen. And why allow humans to participate in something that clearly has to do with mental stability of a different species; how can they judge and exterminate?
Probably the most disturbing part of the book is I can’t figure out if these are wolves that shape shift or if they are werewolves or are they a combination of both, a hybrid.
After struggling for days to read this I don’t think I will pick up the next book in the series willingly due to this being so difficult to grasp the story and plot lines of this universe with under developed characters.
It was very difficult to get into the story. There is no prologue giving you a background or a history and readers feel very dropped into the middle of the story and a bit lost.
The main characters are very intriguing but yet you feel as if you are missing a piece of what makes them who they are by not having a true picture of their background. Eventually you get there and start seeing pieces of their past but it takes almost until the very end of the book.
The universe created for this story seems somewhat incomplete and inconsistent. Several times I had to go back and re-read some of the interactions that were the societal basis. There is also a very medieval hierarchy/caste system at play. Which leads to an entire demographic of people being treated as less than or slaves. If you are looking for a true omega verse this is not for you.
There are possible triggers in this as well such as childhood trauma. It is hinted at and then some what confirmed by the end of the book. Also somewhat troublesome and triggering is the hunting of feral werewolves. There are a lot more questions than answers on why this practice is allowed to persist; this plot line is one of the most uncertain and disturbing, as information is brought to light it seems contradictory why they would allow this instead of a natural progression to happen. And why allow humans to participate in something that clearly has to do with mental stability of a different species; how can they judge and exterminate?
Probably the most disturbing part of the book is I can’t figure out if these are wolves that shape shift or if they are werewolves or are they a combination of both, a hybrid.
After struggling for days to read this I don’t think I will pick up the next book in the series willingly due to this being so difficult to grasp the story and plot lines of this universe with under developed characters.
August 19, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Feral Hearts is the first in a new series of the same name. I struggled with quite a bit of the book, which I found unnecessarily jumbled in its world building and somewhat lacking in the maturity of its writing structure. But for all that, I’m still interested to see where the series goes, primarily because of the MCs.
Alex and Talen aren’t exactly strong characters, but they are compelling ones. The dialogue between them occasionally reads as limited and stilted and yet, despite this, they work well as a newly burgeoning couple (this series looks to be slow burning) and their devotion to one another is rather sweet. Both are still trying to figure out what kind of men they will become and in doing so must deal with the bonds of pack, their inner wolves, and their feelings for one another. This interplay sets up some nice tension that kept my attention most of the book.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Feral Hearts is the first in a new series of the same name. I struggled with quite a bit of the book, which I found unnecessarily jumbled in its world building and somewhat lacking in the maturity of its writing structure. But for all that, I’m still interested to see where the series goes, primarily because of the MCs.
Alex and Talen aren’t exactly strong characters, but they are compelling ones. The dialogue between them occasionally reads as limited and stilted and yet, despite this, they work well as a newly burgeoning couple (this series looks to be slow burning) and their devotion to one another is rather sweet. Both are still trying to figure out what kind of men they will become and in doing so must deal with the bonds of pack, their inner wolves, and their feelings for one another. This interplay sets up some nice tension that kept my attention most of the book.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
August 23, 2021
"Feral Hearts" is the first volume in the trilogy of the same name by Melissa E. Costa and my first encounter with works of this author. What drew me to this novel was the sneak peek that clearly stated it's a story of a strong omega werewolf and a weak alpha. Indeed, this is what we see in "Feral Hearts". It should be added, however, that the theme I've just mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg, as this story has so much more to offer. At this point, I must admit that in terms of the way in which the theme of alpha and omega was developed, "Feral Hearts" reminds me of another novel that I read not so long ago, because we see here not only strong, but also unique omega and a weak alpha, which has a powerful, bloodthirsty wolf. However, at this point the similarities end. What is also worth mentioning is the fact that "Feral Hearts" is a unique story that, to some extent, has the hallmarks of the young adults genre, which, combined with the theme of strong and weak characters, creates a wonderful whole. So I admit that Melissa E. Costa gave me exactly what I expected from this novel and I quickly fell in love with "Feral Hearts".
What's more, the characters of this story should also be mentioned in terms of their creation. Both the main and background characters are truly unique, expressive, and well-shaped. In many cases, they do not give us any opportunity to form an opinion about them, because they arouse many contradictory emotions, which makes us all the more involved in reading this novel. As for the leading characters, Alex and Talen, we see that these two are perfectly built. As I've mentioned, "Feral Hearts" is based on, inter alia, the strong omega theme. The thing is that the said omega is really strong, especially when it comes to character, and "Feral Hearts" is full of evidence to back this opinion about him up. As for the weak alpha, we are once again dealing with a hero who often proves his weakness. It's hard to believe that he can have such a beast inside him, and be such a wimp. And that's the thing that is so beautiful about this novel. The characters are unique, a bit different than the rest, and have a lot to show not only to themselves and other fictional characters, but also to the readers themselves.
Another brilliant advantage of "Feral Hearts" is a theme of a she-wolf in a man, which is a reference to the sexuality not of the characters themselves, but of the wolves that share their mind and body. We don't usually see this kind of problem in novels of this type. Honestly, I do not remember if I've read a book with similar motif. I admit that I immediately fell in love with this theme, as it is really interesting and has been presented in the novel in a way that fascinates the reader, because Talen's wolf wants her sex to remain a secret, she hides it. So we know from the beginning that Talen and his she-wolf are special. But how special are they? We will not find out immediately, which additionally arouses the reader's interest. As for me, I am delighted with what the author presented on this topic and I look forward to what we will discover in the next volumes. Talen's wolf is undoubtedly the best surprise any novel has had for me in a very long time.
Finally, I would like to mention the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe. I am really happy with what the author created in this volume. Not only did she show us the wolves' attachment to the hierarchy, but also painted in a very clear way the packs that are key to the series, their mutual relations, problems as well as cooperation, arrangements, and marriage ties. What's more, the world of "Feral Hearts" still has many secrets, which the author may reveal in the next volumes of her trilogy. In short, I am delighted because the world of this series consists of the internal and external structures of the pack, its internal and external problems, elements that are changeable and unchangeable. Oh well, as you can see, I really like the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe.
To sum up, "Feral Hearts" is a really great novel that delights us with its expressive characters, many surprises bound up with them, interesting story, its twists, emotions, feelings and psyche of the main two characters. This is a truly remarkable novel that enchants the reader. I am in love with this book.
______________________
"Feral Hearts" is the first volume in the trilogy of the same name by Melissa E. Costa and my first encounter with works of this author. What drew me to this novel was the sneak peek that clearly stated it's a story of a strong omega werewolf and a weak alpha. Indeed, this is what we see in "Feral Hearts". It should be added, however, that the theme I've just mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg, as this story has so much more to offer. At this point, I must admit that in terms of the way in which the theme of alpha and omega was developed, "Feral Hearts" reminds me of another novel that I read not so long ago, because we see here not only strong, but also unique omega and a weak alpha, which has a powerful, bloodthirsty wolf. However, at this point the similarities end. What is also worth mentioning is the fact that "Feral Hearts" is a unique story that, to some extent, has the hallmarks of the young adults genre, which, combined with the theme of strong and weak characters, creates a wonderful whole. So I admit that Melissa E. Costa gave me exactly what I expected from this novel and I quickly fell in love with "Feral Hearts".
What's more, the characters of this story should also be mentioned in terms of their creation. Both the main and background characters are truly unique, expressive, and well-shaped. In many cases, they do not give us any opportunity to form an opinion about them, because they arouse many contradictory emotions, which makes us all the more involved in reading this novel. As for the leading characters, Alex and Talen, we see that these two are perfectly built. As I've mentioned, "Feral Hearts" is based on, inter alia, the strong omega theme. The thing is that the said omega is really strong, especially when it comes to character, and "Feral Hearts" is full of evidence to back this opinion about him up. As for the weak alpha, we are once again dealing with a hero who often proves his weakness. It's hard to believe that he can have such a beast inside him, and be such a wimp. And that's the thing that is so beautiful about this novel. The characters are unique, a bit different than the rest, and have a lot to show not only to themselves and other fictional characters, but also to the readers themselves.
Another brilliant advantage of "Feral Hearts" is a theme of a she-wolf in a man, which is a reference to the sexuality not of the characters themselves, but of the wolves that share their mind and body. We don't usually see this kind of problem in novels of this type. Honestly, I do not remember if I've read a book with similar motif. I admit that I immediately fell in love with this theme, as it is really interesting and has been presented in the novel in a way that fascinates the reader, because Talen's wolf wants her sex to remain a secret, she hides it. So we know from the beginning that Talen and his she-wolf are special. But how special are they? We will not find out immediately, which additionally arouses the reader's interest. As for me, I am delighted with what the author presented on this topic and I look forward to what we will discover in the next volumes. Talen's wolf is undoubtedly the best surprise any novel has had for me in a very long time.
Finally, I would like to mention the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe. I am really happy with what the author created in this volume. Not only did she show us the wolves' attachment to the hierarchy, but also painted in a very clear way the packs that are key to the series, their mutual relations, problems as well as cooperation, arrangements, and marriage ties. What's more, the world of "Feral Hearts" still has many secrets, which the author may reveal in the next volumes of her trilogy. In short, I am delighted because the world of this series consists of the internal and external structures of the pack, its internal and external problems, elements that are changeable and unchangeable. Oh well, as you can see, I really like the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe.
To sum up, "Feral Hearts" is a really great novel that delights us with its expressive characters, many surprises bound up with them, interesting story, its twists, emotions, feelings and psyche of the main two characters. This is a truly remarkable novel that enchants the reader. I am in love with this book.
What's more, the characters of this story should also be mentioned in terms of their creation. Both the main and background characters are truly unique, expressive, and well-shaped. In many cases, they do not give us any opportunity to form an opinion about them, because they arouse many contradictory emotions, which makes us all the more involved in reading this novel. As for the leading characters, Alex and Talen, we see that these two are perfectly built. As I've mentioned, "Feral Hearts" is based on, inter alia, the strong omega theme. The thing is that the said omega is really strong, especially when it comes to character, and "Feral Hearts" is full of evidence to back this opinion about him up. As for the weak alpha, we are once again dealing with a hero who often proves his weakness. It's hard to believe that he can have such a beast inside him, and be such a wimp. And that's the thing that is so beautiful about this novel. The characters are unique, a bit different than the rest, and have a lot to show not only to themselves and other fictional characters, but also to the readers themselves.
Another brilliant advantage of "Feral Hearts" is a theme of a she-wolf in a man, which is a reference to the sexuality not of the characters themselves, but of the wolves that share their mind and body. We don't usually see this kind of problem in novels of this type. Honestly, I do not remember if I've read a book with similar motif. I admit that I immediately fell in love with this theme, as it is really interesting and has been presented in the novel in a way that fascinates the reader, because Talen's wolf wants her sex to remain a secret, she hides it. So we know from the beginning that Talen and his she-wolf are special. But how special are they? We will not find out immediately, which additionally arouses the reader's interest. As for me, I am delighted with what the author presented on this topic and I look forward to what we will discover in the next volumes. Talen's wolf is undoubtedly the best surprise any novel has had for me in a very long time.
Finally, I would like to mention the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe. I am really happy with what the author created in this volume. Not only did she show us the wolves' attachment to the hierarchy, but also painted in a very clear way the packs that are key to the series, their mutual relations, problems as well as cooperation, arrangements, and marriage ties. What's more, the world of "Feral Hearts" still has many secrets, which the author may reveal in the next volumes of her trilogy. In short, I am delighted because the world of this series consists of the internal and external structures of the pack, its internal and external problems, elements that are changeable and unchangeable. Oh well, as you can see, I really like the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe.
To sum up, "Feral Hearts" is a really great novel that delights us with its expressive characters, many surprises bound up with them, interesting story, its twists, emotions, feelings and psyche of the main two characters. This is a truly remarkable novel that enchants the reader. I am in love with this book.
______________________
"Feral Hearts" is the first volume in the trilogy of the same name by Melissa E. Costa and my first encounter with works of this author. What drew me to this novel was the sneak peek that clearly stated it's a story of a strong omega werewolf and a weak alpha. Indeed, this is what we see in "Feral Hearts". It should be added, however, that the theme I've just mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg, as this story has so much more to offer. At this point, I must admit that in terms of the way in which the theme of alpha and omega was developed, "Feral Hearts" reminds me of another novel that I read not so long ago, because we see here not only strong, but also unique omega and a weak alpha, which has a powerful, bloodthirsty wolf. However, at this point the similarities end. What is also worth mentioning is the fact that "Feral Hearts" is a unique story that, to some extent, has the hallmarks of the young adults genre, which, combined with the theme of strong and weak characters, creates a wonderful whole. So I admit that Melissa E. Costa gave me exactly what I expected from this novel and I quickly fell in love with "Feral Hearts".
What's more, the characters of this story should also be mentioned in terms of their creation. Both the main and background characters are truly unique, expressive, and well-shaped. In many cases, they do not give us any opportunity to form an opinion about them, because they arouse many contradictory emotions, which makes us all the more involved in reading this novel. As for the leading characters, Alex and Talen, we see that these two are perfectly built. As I've mentioned, "Feral Hearts" is based on, inter alia, the strong omega theme. The thing is that the said omega is really strong, especially when it comes to character, and "Feral Hearts" is full of evidence to back this opinion about him up. As for the weak alpha, we are once again dealing with a hero who often proves his weakness. It's hard to believe that he can have such a beast inside him, and be such a wimp. And that's the thing that is so beautiful about this novel. The characters are unique, a bit different than the rest, and have a lot to show not only to themselves and other fictional characters, but also to the readers themselves.
Another brilliant advantage of "Feral Hearts" is a theme of a she-wolf in a man, which is a reference to the sexuality not of the characters themselves, but of the wolves that share their mind and body. We don't usually see this kind of problem in novels of this type. Honestly, I do not remember if I've read a book with similar motif. I admit that I immediately fell in love with this theme, as it is really interesting and has been presented in the novel in a way that fascinates the reader, because Talen's wolf wants her sex to remain a secret, she hides it. So we know from the beginning that Talen and his she-wolf are special. But how special are they? We will not find out immediately, which additionally arouses the reader's interest. As for me, I am delighted with what the author presented on this topic and I look forward to what we will discover in the next volumes. Talen's wolf is undoubtedly the best surprise any novel has had for me in a very long time.
Finally, I would like to mention the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe. I am really happy with what the author created in this volume. Not only did she show us the wolves' attachment to the hierarchy, but also painted in a very clear way the packs that are key to the series, their mutual relations, problems as well as cooperation, arrangements, and marriage ties. What's more, the world of "Feral Hearts" still has many secrets, which the author may reveal in the next volumes of her trilogy. In short, I am delighted because the world of this series consists of the internal and external structures of the pack, its internal and external problems, elements that are changeable and unchangeable. Oh well, as you can see, I really like the construction of the "Feral Hearts" universe.
To sum up, "Feral Hearts" is a really great novel that delights us with its expressive characters, many surprises bound up with them, interesting story, its twists, emotions, feelings and psyche of the main two characters. This is a truly remarkable novel that enchants the reader. I am in love with this book.
July 17, 2023
FERAL HEARTS is the first book in a trilogy of the same name. The story will conclude in the third book so don't expect even a HFN at the end of book one.
Welcome to the world of miasma and soul battles; where the shifters who live here are unlike those you've read about before. It is a raw, sometimes brutal, world where hierarchy and tradition still rule. Alex is the Alpha's son, an alpha in his own right, but he doesn't fit the usual mould. He is sweet and caring, and more likely to try to help, rather than throw his weight around. He is gay and in love with his best friend, Talon. Everyone thinks Talon is an omega, but he has a secret to hide, something not even Alex knows. Talon is also straight, but not as much as he might think.
This is an interesting world that seems both horrible and fascinating. My heart broke for Alex. He is really struggling with his soul battle, but it had just become VERY interesting toward the end, so I can't wait to see what happens next! And Talon, bless him. There is more to this wolf than people see. I can't wait for the reactions when word gets out that he isn't an omega. Those poor omegas!
I was thoroughly engrossed by this story, so completely different from any other. I really did not want the story to end. I will have to (im)patiently wait for books two and three. I want more!
Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 26, 2021
Welcome to the world of miasma and soul battles; where the shifters who live here are unlike those you've read about before. It is a raw, sometimes brutal, world where hierarchy and tradition still rule. Alex is the Alpha's son, an alpha in his own right, but he doesn't fit the usual mould. He is sweet and caring, and more likely to try to help, rather than throw his weight around. He is gay and in love with his best friend, Talon. Everyone thinks Talon is an omega, but he has a secret to hide, something not even Alex knows. Talon is also straight, but not as much as he might think.
This is an interesting world that seems both horrible and fascinating. My heart broke for Alex. He is really struggling with his soul battle, but it had just become VERY interesting toward the end, so I can't wait to see what happens next! And Talon, bless him. There is more to this wolf than people see. I can't wait for the reactions when word gets out that he isn't an omega. Those poor omegas!
I was thoroughly engrossed by this story, so completely different from any other. I really did not want the story to end. I will have to (im)patiently wait for books two and three. I want more!
Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 26, 2021
August 19, 2021
Feral Hearts is the second story I’ve read by this author, the first being The Last Kitsune—which set a very high standard. The two books are nothing alike, and the writing style felt different as well. Feral Hearts did not read smoothly for me, and both Alex and Talen came across as less mature then I would have expected for guys their age.
The setup of the wolf society here was a strict hierarchy, and one that rubbed me the wrong way, primarily because it painted a dark picture for omegas who were treated little better than slaves in Alex’s pack (and other packs as well, though not all of them). This made for a more grim setting than I prefer, but I kept a hopeful outlook given the obvious connection there seemed to be between Alex and Talen.
As for the two of them, don’t expect much interaction on the relationship level. This story acts as the setup for the series, showing exactly how far apart they are based on their society’s rules and how far they are going to have to go to hopefully end up together. But don’t expect that in this book, and you are going to be left hanging until the series continues.
Given that there’s a lot of setup in this story and what seems like almost insurmountable odds against Alex and Talen, you’ll need to go into this with your eyes open and knowing you’re going to have unanswered questions. I would have liked to have had more information on Talen’s background here in book one, but there was enough to know his childhood before coming to the pack had to have been horrifying, and that does serve to pin his character on your heart.
Feral Hearts was a bit rough and dark, but I’m hoping as the series goes on a brighter future will emerge. This was a 3-star read for me, and I’d recommend it for those who don’t mind their stories moving slower on the relationship side and being darker in relation to the society.
The setup of the wolf society here was a strict hierarchy, and one that rubbed me the wrong way, primarily because it painted a dark picture for omegas who were treated little better than slaves in Alex’s pack (and other packs as well, though not all of them). This made for a more grim setting than I prefer, but I kept a hopeful outlook given the obvious connection there seemed to be between Alex and Talen.
As for the two of them, don’t expect much interaction on the relationship level. This story acts as the setup for the series, showing exactly how far apart they are based on their society’s rules and how far they are going to have to go to hopefully end up together. But don’t expect that in this book, and you are going to be left hanging until the series continues.
Given that there’s a lot of setup in this story and what seems like almost insurmountable odds against Alex and Talen, you’ll need to go into this with your eyes open and knowing you’re going to have unanswered questions. I would have liked to have had more information on Talen’s background here in book one, but there was enough to know his childhood before coming to the pack had to have been horrifying, and that does serve to pin his character on your heart.
Feral Hearts was a bit rough and dark, but I’m hoping as the series goes on a brighter future will emerge. This was a 3-star read for me, and I’d recommend it for those who don’t mind their stories moving slower on the relationship side and being darker in relation to the society.
August 22, 2021
A POWERFUL INTRODUCTION
WOW!!! This Book is INCREDIBLE!!! This is a FANTASTIC introduction to the FERAL HEART SERIES. This is Book #1 in this continuous story with the final resolution at the end of Book #3. This is about Werewolf packs and the hierarchy that is their law. Alex is an Alpha, son of the current Pack Leader. He will lead when his Father steps down. Talen is an Omega. That makes him the bottom if not under the totem pole in their existence. These two are as close as brothers and Talen as an orphan was raised in Alex's home. They're best friends and confidants. When their inner wolves get involved, life gets bad for both of them. Alex is terrified of his wolf which makes him reluctant to shift. Talen's wolf is what protected him through his childhood. I believe this is going to be a MAGNIFICENT love story. I have my hopes for where these two men are going. Where they can figure out how to navigate the situation they're in now. This is a continuous journey until Book #3 and I'm going to enjoy rooting for these two. I trust MELISSA E. COSTA not to break my heart. I loved the set up and getting to know these characters. I'm invested now in their struggle. I'm really looking forward to Book #2. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!!! This Book is INCREDIBLE!!! This is a FANTASTIC introduction to the FERAL HEART SERIES. This is Book #1 in this continuous story with the final resolution at the end of Book #3. This is about Werewolf packs and the hierarchy that is their law. Alex is an Alpha, son of the current Pack Leader. He will lead when his Father steps down. Talen is an Omega. That makes him the bottom if not under the totem pole in their existence. These two are as close as brothers and Talen as an orphan was raised in Alex's home. They're best friends and confidants. When their inner wolves get involved, life gets bad for both of them. Alex is terrified of his wolf which makes him reluctant to shift. Talen's wolf is what protected him through his childhood. I believe this is going to be a MAGNIFICENT love story. I have my hopes for where these two men are going. Where they can figure out how to navigate the situation they're in now. This is a continuous journey until Book #3 and I'm going to enjoy rooting for these two. I trust MELISSA E. COSTA not to break my heart. I loved the set up and getting to know these characters. I'm invested now in their struggle. I'm really looking forward to Book #2. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
August 19, 2021
I knew there wouldn't be a resolution to the relationship between Alex and Talen in this first book in the series, so what I wanted from it was for the author to make me interested in the psychological/emotional aspects of these two characters and to give me an interesting world. Melissa E. Costa fully delivered on both of those. I enjoy rather dark worlds in my omegaverse stories where the politics finds one or more groups unjustly discriminating against others. I want to see groups fighting for their rights and place in the world. The world building in this story gave me that and left me with all kinds of interesting questions about what will happen in future books. There isn't just a focus on Alphas and Oemegas here, either. As for Alex and Talen, they have all kinds of obstacles to overcome as set up in this story. Talen is having a relationship with a female and is making it clear he's straight, Alex is involved with others and doesn't seem likely to get to be with Talen. Both men are painted in shades of grey. There are things to like about each, but also things to give the reader pause. Cannot wait to see how the author gets out of the traps set against this relationship in future books.
August 19, 2021
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. First off I am just in love with this cover! I could go on forever with this but here is shorter version.
The gentleness of just may lead to the greatness of wrath within.
Talen and Alex story is just beginning. The council and pack'ss looks down on basically anyone not an ALPHA, what happens when one is viewed as flawed? Alex is wanting to change the rules but fear makes him a prisoner of his pack, Talen was sent to live as a grunt all because someone deemed it so, leaving Alex spinning from the cruelty. Was sending him to 'visit' Redpaw pack a low trick unseen? After another run in with the Roman.
Ugh! This book is bring on all the feels, I just hate this council over all anarchy bullcrap. It was like reading a train wreck, unable to turn away left without knowing the out fall. Did everyone have it wrong about Alex's wolf? How about Talen's nature? When pushing becomes to much why is everyone shocked.
The gentleness of just may lead to the greatness of wrath within.
Talen and Alex story is just beginning. The council and pack'ss looks down on basically anyone not an ALPHA, what happens when one is viewed as flawed? Alex is wanting to change the rules but fear makes him a prisoner of his pack, Talen was sent to live as a grunt all because someone deemed it so, leaving Alex spinning from the cruelty. Was sending him to 'visit' Redpaw pack a low trick unseen? After another run in with the Roman.
Ugh! This book is bring on all the feels, I just hate this council over all anarchy bullcrap. It was like reading a train wreck, unable to turn away left without knowing the out fall. Did everyone have it wrong about Alex's wolf? How about Talen's nature? When pushing becomes to much why is everyone shocked.
August 5, 2021
2.5
There's a lot going on with this book, I would say too much actually.
Not a traditional omegaverse as there are male presenting, female aspect betas who can carry children. Also deltas and gammas.
There's a lot of politicking and absolutely no romance between the MC's. Alex is in love with Talen but Talen is straight. Talen learns of Alex's feelings but aside from a lot of hugs and some head kisses, I wouldn't say there's romance there.
I'd also warn readers since it isn't in the blurb, Talen has on page sex with a female and Alex kisses a beta. Basically the romantic interactions are with other people.
I can't see how they get out of the mess they are in. I enjoyed parts of it but it's chaotic in places, contradictory too. I think that if it was streamlines, that the author didn't try to do too much, then it would have made for a better story.
There's a lot going on with this book, I would say too much actually.
Not a traditional omegaverse as there are male presenting, female aspect betas who can carry children. Also deltas and gammas.
There's a lot of politicking and absolutely no romance between the MC's. Alex is in love with Talen but Talen is straight. Talen learns of Alex's feelings but aside from a lot of hugs and some head kisses, I wouldn't say there's romance there.
I'd also warn readers since it isn't in the blurb, Talen has on page sex with a female and Alex kisses a beta. Basically the romantic interactions are with other people.
I can't see how they get out of the mess they are in. I enjoyed parts of it but it's chaotic in places, contradictory too. I think that if it was streamlines, that the author didn't try to do too much, then it would have made for a better story.
August 11, 2021
4,5☆
WOW! The world building is so amazing! I love how the author creates unique and awesome worlds, and the characters were lovely too!
At the beginning I was a bit afraid, because it starts with an m/f scene and I thought it would be somehow m/m/f, but I'm glad I stayed and had hope because it was clearly m/m. That tiny scene was important for the gay for you part of the story.
Talen and Alex were both so great, I fell for them both. Alex is gay and in love with Talen, everyone knows this only Talen doesn't. Talen is straight, he and everyone thinks so. He only has brotherly and friendly feelings toward Alex... yes? Or not? He could be in love with Alex? His wolf tells him this all the time and Talen has to believe his wolf, right?
The shifter scenes and the whole shifter community was so amazing. And this book is a really great start to the series, so many unanswered questions, what will happen next?
The story has little to no romance/erotica - I mean there is no kissing, no sex. There are only innocent and sweet touches and thoughts. And I love this kind of romance too. I don't call it slow burn, it's just sweet, innocent, first young love. Can't wait to see more of them in the next book.
WOW! The world building is so amazing! I love how the author creates unique and awesome worlds, and the characters were lovely too!
At the beginning I was a bit afraid, because it starts with an m/f scene and I thought it would be somehow m/m/f, but I'm glad I stayed and had hope because it was clearly m/m. That tiny scene was important for the gay for you part of the story.
Talen and Alex were both so great, I fell for them both. Alex is gay and in love with Talen, everyone knows this only Talen doesn't. Talen is straight, he and everyone thinks so. He only has brotherly and friendly feelings toward Alex... yes? Or not? He could be in love with Alex? His wolf tells him this all the time and Talen has to believe his wolf, right?
The shifter scenes and the whole shifter community was so amazing. And this book is a really great start to the series, so many unanswered questions, what will happen next?
The story has little to no romance/erotica - I mean there is no kissing, no sex. There are only innocent and sweet touches and thoughts. And I love this kind of romance too. I don't call it slow burn, it's just sweet, innocent, first young love. Can't wait to see more of them in the next book.
August 17, 2021
Melissa has created a whole new world. FYI it is a trilogy. So, cliffhanger.
Alex is sweet but he really needs to get a handle on his wolf aspect. Will he be able to come to an understanding or will he lose his soul and possibly destroy everything.
Talen, is he omega or something else. He's strong, but he has to be. Can he help Alex or will they both go down in flames.
Between human, wolf conflicts, rogues and packs plotting, will they survive.
LET'S FIND OUT.
Alex is sweet but he really needs to get a handle on his wolf aspect. Will he be able to come to an understanding or will he lose his soul and possibly destroy everything.
Talen, is he omega or something else. He's strong, but he has to be. Can he help Alex or will they both go down in flames.
Between human, wolf conflicts, rogues and packs plotting, will they survive.
LET'S FIND OUT.
August 17, 2021
I enjoyed the book. The world building was great as it gave us a chance to see this world. Talen was found when he was young and brought to stay at the alpha house. Alex, the alpha heir, and Talen grew up together. Now that Talen reached a certain age now has to move to the omega house. This is book one of three and am hoping the two MCs get together.
I received a copy of this book for my review
I received a copy of this book for my review
August 26, 2021
The story I was super excited for, I loved the cover and the blurb but felt a little let down. I think we needed more back story. I do think the series has major potential to be great. I didn’t like how it started with a m/f scene when I was supposed to be reading m/m romance. There was lots of sweetness and innocent touches/kisses but no heat and steam. I hope the next book picks up a little. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
August 18, 2021
I didn't want this to end!!! I know it's only book one but I wanted to know the conclusion. Feral Hearts by Melissa Costa is just that good. The world building is amazing. It was different from the typical omegaverse I'm used to. The characters are very well-developed and three dimensional. I'm looking forward to getting to know more about Talen and Alex, particularly about their wolves.
Read
August 21, 2021DNF 8% I literally have no words!
August 16, 2021
i give it a 3.5... ok so this isnt horrible at all.. good storyline.. interesting characters.. the problem i had is that it seemed very slow.. i got irritated at times... and it bored me in spots.. so over all i am excited to read the next book and im hoping this one was more of a set up for whats to come.
August 17, 2024
3.5⭐
I liked this! There's some things that could be improved but I definitely want to continue this series.
The plot
Alex is an alpha who has no interest to be the leader of the Black Moon Pack once his dad steps down. He is different from other alphas, caring and sweet, and doesn't want to treat others like they are less important than him. Then we have Talen, an omega stray, who has been taken by Alex's parents and raised like he was a part of the family. Now Talen is forced into the role of an omega and the monster inside Alex has set its sights on him. The beast inside him is dangerous and doesn't stop until it gets what it wants.
The story
Melissa E. Costa is really talented at describing what everything looks like and how the world is built around the characters. I got a good impression of what everything looked like and that's how I understood the story better. Their society was explained really well and I didn't feel confused which is what usually happens when I read fantasy books. However, no matter how good the world around the MCs was described, the story felt a bit slow for me. There weren't enough things happening. It was just a few major events described in great detail. I get that this is a continuous story but I would have liked this a bit more if it had more things happening. Besides that, I liked the story.
The characters
Oh yes, I adored the main characters. I loved Alex and how caring he was. He was kind and understanding. He was a characters with a golden heart and I loved that. Alex had a weak spot for Talen and was by his side. I thought he was really brave, even though he thought that HE was weaker than the other alphas. And Talen, ugh, he was so brave and acted like a human being, not a slave. He didn't let other people step over him just because he was born as an omega. He was tough and I admire him. There were also some side characters like Cy and Mara. Cy was a sweet boy. Mara on the other hand wasn't that likable. She was an alpha and acted like one, too. She didn't care about other people and used them for her own benefit.
This was a good start for a series. :)
*I received an arc from the author for an honest review*
I liked this! There's some things that could be improved but I definitely want to continue this series.
The plot
Alex is an alpha who has no interest to be the leader of the Black Moon Pack once his dad steps down. He is different from other alphas, caring and sweet, and doesn't want to treat others like they are less important than him. Then we have Talen, an omega stray, who has been taken by Alex's parents and raised like he was a part of the family. Now Talen is forced into the role of an omega and the monster inside Alex has set its sights on him. The beast inside him is dangerous and doesn't stop until it gets what it wants.
The story
Melissa E. Costa is really talented at describing what everything looks like and how the world is built around the characters. I got a good impression of what everything looked like and that's how I understood the story better. Their society was explained really well and I didn't feel confused which is what usually happens when I read fantasy books. However, no matter how good the world around the MCs was described, the story felt a bit slow for me. There weren't enough things happening. It was just a few major events described in great detail. I get that this is a continuous story but I would have liked this a bit more if it had more things happening. Besides that, I liked the story.
The characters
Oh yes, I adored the main characters. I loved Alex and how caring he was. He was kind and understanding. He was a characters with a golden heart and I loved that. Alex had a weak spot for Talen and was by his side. I thought he was really brave, even though he thought that HE was weaker than the other alphas. And Talen, ugh, he was so brave and acted like a human being, not a slave. He didn't let other people step over him just because he was born as an omega. He was tough and I admire him. There were also some side characters like Cy and Mara. Cy was a sweet boy. Mara on the other hand wasn't that likable. She was an alpha and acted like one, too. She didn't care about other people and used them for her own benefit.
This was a good start for a series. :)
*I received an arc from the author for an honest review*
September 6, 2022
48% I can’t. I want but I can’t. I’m so mad, don’t let the blurb fool you. I can’t exactly figure out what’s going on. Are these shifters or werewolves? Also I’m not a fan of MC’s having on page smexy with someone’s else. Not my jam. I feel bad for Alex but I can’t figure out what he is. Is he a shifter? But he’s battling his wolf that is evil and puts him down? I don’t know so I’m done
September 14, 2021
Different but Good
I love when authors go outside of what you normally see in shifter mythology. This book definitely does that. Poor Cy though I hope he gets someone of his own. I can't wait until the next book. I'm usually not into the slow burns but this one was good
I love when authors go outside of what you normally see in shifter mythology. This book definitely does that. Poor Cy though I hope he gets someone of his own. I can't wait until the next book. I'm usually not into the slow burns but this one was good
October 6, 2021
Cliffhanger.
I HATE when books end on a cliffhanger... The book was okay. The description had me hooked then the book was sooooo slow and the characters were mostly awful. Honestly I was pissed off more then not reading this book.
I HATE when books end on a cliffhanger... The book was okay. The description had me hooked then the book was sooooo slow and the characters were mostly awful. Honestly I was pissed off more then not reading this book.
Read
August 7, 2021I really wanted to love this book, however it didn't turn out that way.
Read
August 31, 2021Loved it
September 1, 2021
The way how story plot is written is wrong. The whole development is wrong. What a shit book.
Want to read
April 4, 2022Mf sex...urgh
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews