What do you think?
Rate this book
Stormshield #2
Alpha's Oath
Plagued by strange symbols he doesn’t understand, Prince Cleo agrees to the only path open to him—a life of solitude in the priory. But fate has a very different plan.
With their kingdom fighting for survival, a wedding isn’t on the cards for Thorne. A good brother and fighter, he’s willing to do anything to protect his home. He’d be a good husband too, but he’s not the kind of alpha a typical omega falls for. His future looks lonely until he finds an omega prince washed up on the shore.
Cleo always wished he’d been born a normal omega, the kind that went on the marriage circuit and found themselves a husband. That Cleo would never have fallen overboard during a storm and wound up stranded on a deserted island with an alpha prince. Maybe he can’t have the life he’s always wanted, but he can pretend, just for a little while.
Alpha’s Oath is the second book of the Stormshield series. It’s a m/m shifter romance with a dash of magic. It contains mpreg and mature themes.
With their kingdom fighting for survival, a wedding isn’t on the cards for Thorne. A good brother and fighter, he’s willing to do anything to protect his home. He’d be a good husband too, but he’s not the kind of alpha a typical omega falls for. His future looks lonely until he finds an omega prince washed up on the shore.
Cleo always wished he’d been born a normal omega, the kind that went on the marriage circuit and found themselves a husband. That Cleo would never have fallen overboard during a storm and wound up stranded on a deserted island with an alpha prince. Maybe he can’t have the life he’s always wanted, but he can pretend, just for a little while.
Alpha’s Oath is the second book of the Stormshield series. It’s a m/m shifter romance with a dash of magic. It contains mpreg and mature themes.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2022
126 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Claire Cullen
63 books644 followersClaire Cullen is an author and aspiring baker. Since she was a toddler, she has loved making up stories. Getting them down on paper proved a challenge in the early years when her preferred medium was finger puppets. She moved on to pen and paper, and later to keyboards, and hasn't looked back since, except for occasional bouts of nostalgia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 19, 2024
Part two in this series is perhaps a tiny bit less good than the first book. But simply because the setting is already somewhat familiar and there are therefore few surprises. You could perhaps even say that the story about Thorne and Cleo follows a similar pattern to the first book.
However, and this is what makes the book good, the characters are very different, the magic is different and the development of the relationship and the romance is also different, so for me a very lovely lightly entertaining book.
Thorne:
He was tired of pretending he was Thorne, the fierce warrior and tireless protector of their kingdom. Maybe no one else would ever truly accept him as an explorer or archaeologist, but he could have this short time to explore his passion, just this once. 💗🤩💗
Cleo:
“Please,” Cleo murmured against him. “I’m so tired of being lost. I want to find myself—in you.” 💗🫠💗
They are wonderfully perfect for each other, so affectionate and funny too.
“I can do needlepoint,” Cleo said. “It’s not very practical. Unless sails need little flowers all over them.”
Thorne grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I need a sock darned. I wouldn’t mind a few flowers. They might distract from the scent of sweaty feet.” 🤣🤣🤣
I really like the plot, how the different pieces of the puzzle slowly fit together and how the world of Stormshield is so different from the other kingdoms.
So, actually I wanted to read something completely different now, but somehow I'm super curious about the third book ... Decisions Decisions Decisions, how I hate you ... I'll just buy it now and then we'll see.😳
However, and this is what makes the book good, the characters are very different, the magic is different and the development of the relationship and the romance is also different, so for me a very lovely lightly entertaining book.
Thorne:
He was tired of pretending he was Thorne, the fierce warrior and tireless protector of their kingdom. Maybe no one else would ever truly accept him as an explorer or archaeologist, but he could have this short time to explore his passion, just this once. 💗🤩💗
Cleo:
“Please,” Cleo murmured against him. “I’m so tired of being lost. I want to find myself—in you.” 💗🫠💗
They are wonderfully perfect for each other, so affectionate and funny too.
“I can do needlepoint,” Cleo said. “It’s not very practical. Unless sails need little flowers all over them.”
Thorne grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I need a sock darned. I wouldn’t mind a few flowers. They might distract from the scent of sweaty feet.” 🤣🤣🤣
I really like the plot, how the different pieces of the puzzle slowly fit together and how the world of Stormshield is so different from the other kingdoms.
So, actually I wanted to read something completely different now, but somehow I'm super curious about the third book ... Decisions Decisions Decisions, how I hate you ... I'll just buy it now and then we'll see.😳
August 21, 2024
The problem with series that share the same fundamentals is that the plot often feels copy-pasted. You just get two main characters with different names, and they slap on a “book 2” label. But this book was completely different from the first in terms of plot. The recurring subplot still stands, but Cleo and Thorne's quick romance was such a nice surprise—especially since his brother’s romance was such a slow burn. Their personalities were also quite different and refreshing. I enjoyed the first installment, but I absolutely loved this one.
Once again, as someone who isn’t particularly fond of magic tropes, this installment and Cleo’s gift have completely enraptured me! It also helps that I’m a history lover and absolutely adore anything involving runes and hieroglyphics. This installment, in particular, is definitely going to be a re-read for me. On to the next!
Once again, as someone who isn’t particularly fond of magic tropes, this installment and Cleo’s gift have completely enraptured me! It also helps that I’m a history lover and absolutely adore anything involving runes and hieroglyphics. This installment, in particular, is definitely going to be a re-read for me. On to the next!
February 13, 2022
DNF at 27%
This was a whole lot of nothingburger.
There is no emotional connection for me with, or between, the characters. Even a scene that should be sweet and start building tension (cuddling for warmth!! fell flat, to the point that I wondered if it wasn’t supposed to be for emotional/sexual purposes, and only to show the symbol calming thing. That’s not a good sign.
This lack of chemistry between the main characters continues. Any scene they have were omega falls into alpha read so contrived, it was like a step by step manual. Their first kiss came out of absolutely nowhere for me! I thought we were in slowburn mode since there wasn’t a connection really, but I guess…there just isn’t one.
The sex scenes, such as they are, are stilted and flat because of the lack of chemistry.
This had, or tried to have, the ‘stranded on a deserted island, surviving together’ vibe…but there’s no tension. Alpha is prepared for being on the island. He knows there’s fresh food and water. They're getting picked up in a week. No tension at all. It makes all the living details intensely boring. Focus on the ruins or whatever pile of rocks shit.
I was interested in the overarching plot, but at the point I quit, there was nothing about it. Just relentless boring things. Flat characters, stilted conversation, and the most interesting part - the symbols??? - are just…ignored once they’re exploring the island together. It’s like they were forgotten about.
Overall, this was just boring, and I used it to fall asleep the other night. Maybe there’s more worldbuilding once they leave the island, but I do not have the patience to continue reading this to find out.
This was a whole lot of nothingburger.
There is no emotional connection for me with, or between, the characters. Even a scene that should be sweet and start building tension (cuddling for warmth!! fell flat, to the point that I wondered if it wasn’t supposed to be for emotional/sexual purposes, and only to show the symbol calming thing. That’s not a good sign.
This lack of chemistry between the main characters continues. Any scene they have were omega falls into alpha read so contrived, it was like a step by step manual. Their first kiss came out of absolutely nowhere for me! I thought we were in slowburn mode since there wasn’t a connection really, but I guess…there just isn’t one.
The sex scenes, such as they are, are stilted and flat because of the lack of chemistry.
This had, or tried to have, the ‘stranded on a deserted island, surviving together’ vibe…but there’s no tension. Alpha is prepared for being on the island. He knows there’s fresh food and water. They're getting picked up in a week. No tension at all. It makes all the living details intensely boring. Focus on the ruins or whatever pile of rocks shit.
I was interested in the overarching plot, but at the point I quit, there was nothing about it. Just relentless boring things. Flat characters, stilted conversation, and the most interesting part - the symbols??? - are just…ignored once they’re exploring the island together. It’s like they were forgotten about.
Overall, this was just boring, and I used it to fall asleep the other night. Maybe there’s more worldbuilding once they leave the island, but I do not have the patience to continue reading this to find out.
January 27, 2024
3.5/5 I don’t know what it was but this book didn’t have the same impact on me as book one had.
I can’t really put my finger on it. The general plot — the one about the prophecy which is part of all three books — was still absolutely fascinating to me. Without a doubt. But the plot that was about the couple of this book didn’t really hold my interest all that much. I didn’t love how their story played into the main story if that makes sense.
Nevertheless, I'm still a big fan of this world. No wonder I’ve devoured this book in just a few hours…
I can’t really put my finger on it. The general plot — the one about the prophecy which is part of all three books — was still absolutely fascinating to me. Without a doubt. But the plot that was about the couple of this book didn’t really hold my interest all that much. I didn’t love how their story played into the main story if that makes sense.
Nevertheless, I'm still a big fan of this world. No wonder I’ve devoured this book in just a few hours…
December 13, 2023
3.5
This was absolutely adorable.
Sweet and lightly spicy, with a well-developed plot and a gripping storyline: Stormshield is such a fascinating place, and I loved getting to know the kingdom a bit more.
Cleo and Thorne's romance was equally gripping; although Raine and Darien's romance stole my heart a smidge more (I can't help it, I love romances that have a tough start), I enoyed getting to know them and witnessing their well-deserved HEA.
I'm so excited to start Rex's story!!
This was absolutely adorable.
Sweet and lightly spicy, with a well-developed plot and a gripping storyline: Stormshield is such a fascinating place, and I loved getting to know the kingdom a bit more.
Cleo and Thorne's romance was equally gripping; although Raine and Darien's romance stole my heart a smidge more (I can't help it, I love romances that have a tough start), I enoyed getting to know them and witnessing their well-deserved HEA.
I'm so excited to start Rex's story!!
April 6, 2022
Probably not for me..I found the chemistry was inexistent. :(
January 28, 2022
Poor Cleo
I can't imagine how scary everything had to be for Cleo. He couldn't even trust his own mind. That is terrifying. I like Thorne and his love of history.
I can't imagine how scary everything had to be for Cleo. He couldn't even trust his own mind. That is terrifying. I like Thorne and his love of history.
September 13, 2022
I read this book for a challenge to read something with your top three tropes which for me were "mpreg", "small town romance", and "stranded on a deserted island", and you know what? This book kind of had all three. (the small town romance is a bit of a stretch since it's more isolated kingdom under attack but hey you try finding something with all three of these tropes!!!! and if you do let me know because I wanna read it immediately).
Anyway, definitely a 3 star read. My biggest issue was how the book wasn't very long but had a thousand different plots in it. The desert island was its own thing, then the marriage of convenience (another trope!), then the mpreg, then the secret magic reveal, then the save the kingdom with said secret magic, etc etc etc. All these plots got in the way of me trying to have a no thoughts head empty kind of read which is really all it is.
Most of the stars I am knocking off are because one of the main characters, Thorne, can apparently shift into multiple things but a) it's never explained how b) there is no list of options given we only learn about a wolf and a tiger form and c) i wanna know way more about this! multiple shifter forms??? And it disappointingly led to nothing. :(
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Anyway, definitely a 3 star read. My biggest issue was how the book wasn't very long but had a thousand different plots in it. The desert island was its own thing, then the marriage of convenience (another trope!), then the mpreg, then the secret magic reveal, then the save the kingdom with said secret magic, etc etc etc. All these plots got in the way of me trying to have a no thoughts head empty kind of read which is really all it is.
Most of the stars I am knocking off are because one of the main characters, Thorne, can apparently shift into multiple things but a) it's never explained how b) there is no list of options given we only learn about a wolf and a tiger form and c) i wanna know way more about this! multiple shifter forms??? And it disappointingly led to nothing. :(
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
August 18, 2024
The culture built here is fascinating
January 21, 2022
Hierum geht's:
Während andere Omega-Prinzen auf eine Rundreise durch die verschiedenen Königreiche gehen dürfen, um ihren zukünftigen Ehemann zu finden und eine Familie zu gründen, wusste Prinz Cleo schon immer, dass ihm all das verwehrt bleiben würde. Schließlich hat er den Wahnsinn seines verstorbenen Omega-Vaters geerbt. Doch als das Schiff, das ihn zur Priory bringen soll, in einem Sturm Schiffbruch erleidet und er auf einer verlassenen Insel angespült wird, ist er froh, dass ihm das Leben im Kloster noch eine Weile erspart bleiben wird. Auf der Insel trifft er den geschichtsbegeisterten Prinzen Thorne vom kleinen Inselkönigreich Stormshield, der weder ahnt, wer Cloe ist, noch welches Leiden ihn plagt und welches Schicksal ihm bevorsteht. Gemeinsam haben sie eine Woche Zeit, Thornes Mission zu erfüllen und halbvergessene Ruinen zu erkunden, die mehr über die Geschichte Stormshields und ihrer jahrhundertealten Feinde preisgeben können. Zeit, um endlich all die Freiheiten zu genießen, die Cloe bislang verwehrt blieben ... doch ihre Zeit zu zweit auf der einsamen Insel bleiben nicht ohne Folgen und Cleos Leben nimmt eine unerwartete Wende.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Gay Romance von Claire Cullen ist bei mir immer Hit-or-Miss. Es gibt Romane und Reihen von ihr, die gefallen mir richtig gut, andere hingegen hinterlassen bei mir manchmal das Gefühl, als seien sie von einer anderen Autorin geschrieben worden. Inzwischen habe ich gelernt, dass ich von all ihren Werwolf-Romanen am besten die Finger lasse.
In der "Stormshield"-Reihe gibt es zwar auch Gestaltwandler sowie Alphas und Omegas, aber mir gefällt die Reihe zum Glück um einiges besser. Vielleicht liegt es auch an der Darstellung der Alphas und Omegas. Zwar sind es vor allem die Alphas, die die Gabe zum Gestaltwandeln erben, aber sie sind zum Glück keine unerträglichen Machos. Das merkt man auch an Thorne. Da seine Heimat regelmäßig von Piraten angegriffen wird, hat er zwar gelernt zu kämpfen, aber viel lieber würde er seine Zeit mit Geschichte oder abenteuerlichen Exkursionen zu halbvergessenen Ruinen verbringen. Das ist seine große Leidenschaft. Für Cleo bringt er von Anfang an viel Respekt auf. Nicht nur, dass er die Wünsche des Omega-Prinzen respektiert, er lässt ihm auch den Freiraum zur Selbstentfaltung und fördert dabei Cleos Stärken und baut ihn in schwachen Momenten auf.
Dass Cleo aufblüht und langsam seine magischen Fähigkeiten entdeckt und erkundet, ist auch Thornes Verdienst. Cleo hat in seinem jungen Leben schon viel mitgemacht und als Leser fiebert man mit ihm mit, als er langsam zu begreifen beginnt, dass er Träume haben kann, dass seine Wünsche und Hoffnungen auch in Erfüllung gehen können, wenn Cleo für sie kämpft. Cleo ist von beiden Figuren diejenige mit der größeren Entwicklung. Thorne entwickelt sich dank Cleo zwar auch weiter, aber nicht so sehr wie der Omega.
Zur Liebesgeschichte selbst: Die beiden haben zwar recht früh Sex, aber ich würde die Geschichte eher als slow-burn bezeichnen. Die beiden brauchen eine Weile, um sich selbst und gegenseitig zu gestehen, dass sie mehr als nur Anziehung füreinander empfinden. Es gibt keine Liebe auf den ersten Blick, die beiden Hauptfiguren müssen an ihrer Beziehung arbeiten, wodurch sie mir als Leserin realistischer und plausibler erscheint - und ja, das sage ich auch bei all der Runen- und Gestaltwandler-Magie im Buch.
Mir hat der Roman gefallen und ich bin schon gespannt auf den 3. Band der Trilogie, in dem der jüngste der drei Stormshield-Prinzen seine große Liebe finden wird.
Während andere Omega-Prinzen auf eine Rundreise durch die verschiedenen Königreiche gehen dürfen, um ihren zukünftigen Ehemann zu finden und eine Familie zu gründen, wusste Prinz Cleo schon immer, dass ihm all das verwehrt bleiben würde. Schließlich hat er den Wahnsinn seines verstorbenen Omega-Vaters geerbt. Doch als das Schiff, das ihn zur Priory bringen soll, in einem Sturm Schiffbruch erleidet und er auf einer verlassenen Insel angespült wird, ist er froh, dass ihm das Leben im Kloster noch eine Weile erspart bleiben wird. Auf der Insel trifft er den geschichtsbegeisterten Prinzen Thorne vom kleinen Inselkönigreich Stormshield, der weder ahnt, wer Cloe ist, noch welches Leiden ihn plagt und welches Schicksal ihm bevorsteht. Gemeinsam haben sie eine Woche Zeit, Thornes Mission zu erfüllen und halbvergessene Ruinen zu erkunden, die mehr über die Geschichte Stormshields und ihrer jahrhundertealten Feinde preisgeben können. Zeit, um endlich all die Freiheiten zu genießen, die Cloe bislang verwehrt blieben ... doch ihre Zeit zu zweit auf der einsamen Insel bleiben nicht ohne Folgen und Cleos Leben nimmt eine unerwartete Wende.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Gay Romance von Claire Cullen ist bei mir immer Hit-or-Miss. Es gibt Romane und Reihen von ihr, die gefallen mir richtig gut, andere hingegen hinterlassen bei mir manchmal das Gefühl, als seien sie von einer anderen Autorin geschrieben worden. Inzwischen habe ich gelernt, dass ich von all ihren Werwolf-Romanen am besten die Finger lasse.
In der "Stormshield"-Reihe gibt es zwar auch Gestaltwandler sowie Alphas und Omegas, aber mir gefällt die Reihe zum Glück um einiges besser. Vielleicht liegt es auch an der Darstellung der Alphas und Omegas. Zwar sind es vor allem die Alphas, die die Gabe zum Gestaltwandeln erben, aber sie sind zum Glück keine unerträglichen Machos. Das merkt man auch an Thorne. Da seine Heimat regelmäßig von Piraten angegriffen wird, hat er zwar gelernt zu kämpfen, aber viel lieber würde er seine Zeit mit Geschichte oder abenteuerlichen Exkursionen zu halbvergessenen Ruinen verbringen. Das ist seine große Leidenschaft. Für Cleo bringt er von Anfang an viel Respekt auf. Nicht nur, dass er die Wünsche des Omega-Prinzen respektiert, er lässt ihm auch den Freiraum zur Selbstentfaltung und fördert dabei Cleos Stärken und baut ihn in schwachen Momenten auf.
Dass Cleo aufblüht und langsam seine magischen Fähigkeiten entdeckt und erkundet, ist auch Thornes Verdienst. Cleo hat in seinem jungen Leben schon viel mitgemacht und als Leser fiebert man mit ihm mit, als er langsam zu begreifen beginnt, dass er Träume haben kann, dass seine Wünsche und Hoffnungen auch in Erfüllung gehen können, wenn Cleo für sie kämpft. Cleo ist von beiden Figuren diejenige mit der größeren Entwicklung. Thorne entwickelt sich dank Cleo zwar auch weiter, aber nicht so sehr wie der Omega.
Zur Liebesgeschichte selbst: Die beiden haben zwar recht früh Sex, aber ich würde die Geschichte eher als slow-burn bezeichnen. Die beiden brauchen eine Weile, um sich selbst und gegenseitig zu gestehen, dass sie mehr als nur Anziehung füreinander empfinden. Es gibt keine Liebe auf den ersten Blick, die beiden Hauptfiguren müssen an ihrer Beziehung arbeiten, wodurch sie mir als Leserin realistischer und plausibler erscheint - und ja, das sage ich auch bei all der Runen- und Gestaltwandler-Magie im Buch.
Mir hat der Roman gefallen und ich bin schon gespannt auf den 3. Band der Trilogie, in dem der jüngste der drei Stormshield-Prinzen seine große Liebe finden wird.
February 6, 2023
Really loving these books! Lots of heartache, unrequited love, drama and a great background story filled with magic and shifters :) Cleo and Thorne were amazing together, so sweet the both of them, that I truly ached for their HEA.
The sex steam is very low in this series, which might be a problem for some, though this one was hotter than the previous book. I do like slow burn though and tend to skim most sex scenes anyway, so I don't mind a bit. Straight to the next book!
The sex steam is very low in this series, which might be a problem for some, though this one was hotter than the previous book. I do like slow burn though and tend to skim most sex scenes anyway, so I don't mind a bit. Straight to the next book!
July 30, 2022
Traditional circumstances
Set some time after the first book we find Thorne coming across Cleo after a ship wreck and rescuing him from pirates. The two have a great connection but no hope of being married as their respective positions make it seem unlikely. That is until propriety forces the hand and the two find themselves more permanently thrown together. But with the stormshield still being a secret and Cleo having issues he won't speak of the two have a rough go of finding their way back to that first connection.
As an outside reader there is a sense of urgency because we know what Cleo's secret is and also what it means. The stakes are a bit different as Cleo believes that he is a liability and going to the Priory would be for the good of everyone, instead of trying to get away from family. Even as he falls for Thorne he doesn't want to stay and be a burden, making Thorn very confused as to what is happening with the man he had started to fall for.
The history of the land that is being discovered as the series goes on is fascinating. It is great how it follows along from mentions in the first book as new discoveries are made and what changes it means for the present world. It will be fascinating to see how everything wraps up in the final book!
Set some time after the first book we find Thorne coming across Cleo after a ship wreck and rescuing him from pirates. The two have a great connection but no hope of being married as their respective positions make it seem unlikely. That is until propriety forces the hand and the two find themselves more permanently thrown together. But with the stormshield still being a secret and Cleo having issues he won't speak of the two have a rough go of finding their way back to that first connection.
As an outside reader there is a sense of urgency because we know what Cleo's secret is and also what it means. The stakes are a bit different as Cleo believes that he is a liability and going to the Priory would be for the good of everyone, instead of trying to get away from family. Even as he falls for Thorne he doesn't want to stay and be a burden, making Thorn very confused as to what is happening with the man he had started to fall for.
The history of the land that is being discovered as the series goes on is fascinating. It is great how it follows along from mentions in the first book as new discoveries are made and what changes it means for the present world. It will be fascinating to see how everything wraps up in the final book!
March 8, 2022
Great mm fantasy romance
As I said in my review of the first person in this series I think that the world building is the best part of this series. There are marvelous back stories to all that is going on in this world right now and also there are the sweet romances. The system of how magic works and how the things about it that have been lost to time and are now being rediscovered are well plotted and interesting. I can’t wait to read the third book.
As I said in my review of the first person in this series I think that the world building is the best part of this series. There are marvelous back stories to all that is going on in this world right now and also there are the sweet romances. The system of how magic works and how the things about it that have been lost to time and are now being rediscovered are well plotted and interesting. I can’t wait to read the third book.
September 4, 2025
3 ⭐️
This book was… man. I feel like I need some good hard politicking and treachery of the ballad of sword and wine after this swoonfest.
I have overdose of sweetness and sappyness.
I guess the book isn’t bad for what it is - a simple and sweet fairytale.
But am I tired of all the sugar. The cliches. The simplicity. Ughh.
Don’t get me wrong I had fun with it. But now I need something more poisonous stat 😂
This book was… man. I feel like I need some good hard politicking and treachery of the ballad of sword and wine after this swoonfest.
I have overdose of sweetness and sappyness.
I guess the book isn’t bad for what it is - a simple and sweet fairytale.
But am I tired of all the sugar. The cliches. The simplicity. Ughh.
Don’t get me wrong I had fun with it. But now I need something more poisonous stat 😂
February 5, 2022
3.5
Great finally stepping into who you really are story. When you are told who you are your entire life only to find love and yourself. Loved the world building. Loved their journey to each other. Writing was good smexy was ehh. Side characters were cool. It will be interesting to see who Rex’s person is.
Great finally stepping into who you really are story. When you are told who you are your entire life only to find love and yourself. Loved the world building. Loved their journey to each other. Writing was good smexy was ehh. Side characters were cool. It will be interesting to see who Rex’s person is.
August 4, 2025
ay dios que pareja más adorable desde el inicio yo los ame, estoy loquita por Thorne, me encantó el toque de proximidad forzada y como parecía que están hechos el uno por el otro, es que los ame tanto ❤️❤️❤️
September 18, 2022
Goes with the 1st book stantards and doesn't fall. It even rises a little bit. Loved it.
September 9, 2024
Sin queja alguna✨
Primera lectura: Ni idea, algún punto en 2023.
Relectura: Septiembre 2024
Primera lectura: Ni idea, algún punto en 2023.
Relectura: Septiembre 2024
Read
May 3, 2023Dnf. 40%. Not a fan of when an author uses lack of communication to further a story line. It’s a story, if you’re characters aren’t talking openly to each other then what is the point?
February 24, 2022
4/5 for the fantasy, 2/5 for the romance. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings for book: Pregnancy and birth, forced isolation, implied child abuse and neglect, attempted self-harm, mild fantasy violence, death
Kink: N/A, contains mostly vague sex scenes or FTB
Alpha's Oath is the second in the Stormshield series and features a forced-proximity fling, ruin hunting, and lots of rune magic.
A pattern I'm noticing is that the omega characters (Raine, Cleo) are well developed and feature similar-but-not-boring (to me) character arcs within these books. Raine was a skilled alchemist who helps save Stormshield in the last book who had a fear of being found out for the magic he was able to do, and Cleo is similar in that he is a scribe who is afraid of his own magic due to his family. This is of course explored within the book further, and we get some delicious angst from Cleo and his struggles and eventual hurt/comfort moments between Cleo and Thorne. The problem with this pattern is that Thorne (and Darien suffers this issue too, but for Thorne it is worse) is rather underdeveloped. His personal insecurity of not being like other alphas makes sense to me, but I do feel there was not a lot of time or perhaps just a struggle to really show how Thorne was different and his own personality. He really pales in comparison to Cleo as a character. This, of course, makes the romance suffer.
As for the romance and my low review of it: Cleo and Thorne start with a fling and have an amiable moment of ending it, and then royalty reasons causes them to have to marry. Thorne comes out with an assumption that Cleo never expressed, and in fact, pointed out the opposite opinion to Thorne before, and this is NOT ADDRESSED until about the 80% mark of this book. The lack of communication and how little time they actually spend together on-page as a romantic couple is a huge shame. There are also similarish scenes between Omega's Gamble and this book, and some of it almost felt recycled. Cleo gains a lot in this series as a character in terms of growth, family repair, and his own power. I even found the bond between these two at the very end to be sweet - but, it definitely felt like Cleo was a main character, and Thorne was simply a love interest that was a slightly-more-important side character than everyone else.
As for the fantasy aspect of this story: This was great! There is a lot of world-building done in a way that didn't feel like it was overloading me, and I enjoyed the way in which the characters came to find out this knowledge. The aspect of the rune magic was also fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing the growth of power in Cleo's runes and connection to the shield machine that appears. There is clearly a plot unraveling in terms of the shifters vs. non-shifters, and the different kingdoms, and I am excited to see how it all comes together in the third book. The way this book gives us a nice place to lead into the next one does have me quite excited for how they will finally keep Stormshield from being oppressed by the other kingdoms.
Despite my issues with the romance, I will read the third one. Rex seems to have a stronger personality throughout the books so far as a side character, being the himbo that he is, and I am hoping whatever omega comes to deal with what we found during the epilogue will be just as intriguing to learn about.
Content Warnings for book: Pregnancy and birth, forced isolation, implied child abuse and neglect, attempted self-harm, mild fantasy violence, death
Kink: N/A, contains mostly vague sex scenes or FTB
Alpha's Oath is the second in the Stormshield series and features a forced-proximity fling, ruin hunting, and lots of rune magic.
A pattern I'm noticing is that the omega characters (Raine, Cleo) are well developed and feature similar-but-not-boring (to me) character arcs within these books. Raine was a skilled alchemist who helps save Stormshield in the last book who had a fear of being found out for the magic he was able to do, and Cleo is similar in that he is a scribe who is afraid of his own magic due to his family. This is of course explored within the book further, and we get some delicious angst from Cleo and his struggles and eventual hurt/comfort moments between Cleo and Thorne. The problem with this pattern is that Thorne (and Darien suffers this issue too, but for Thorne it is worse) is rather underdeveloped. His personal insecurity of not being like other alphas makes sense to me, but I do feel there was not a lot of time or perhaps just a struggle to really show how Thorne was different and his own personality. He really pales in comparison to Cleo as a character. This, of course, makes the romance suffer.
As for the romance and my low review of it: Cleo and Thorne start with a fling and have an amiable moment of ending it, and then royalty reasons causes them to have to marry. Thorne comes out with an assumption that Cleo never expressed, and in fact, pointed out the opposite opinion to Thorne before, and this is NOT ADDRESSED until about the 80% mark of this book. The lack of communication and how little time they actually spend together on-page as a romantic couple is a huge shame. There are also similarish scenes between Omega's Gamble and this book, and some of it almost felt recycled. Cleo gains a lot in this series as a character in terms of growth, family repair, and his own power. I even found the bond between these two at the very end to be sweet - but, it definitely felt like Cleo was a main character, and Thorne was simply a love interest that was a slightly-more-important side character than everyone else.
As for the fantasy aspect of this story: This was great! There is a lot of world-building done in a way that didn't feel like it was overloading me, and I enjoyed the way in which the characters came to find out this knowledge. The aspect of the rune magic was also fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing the growth of power in Cleo's runes and connection to the shield machine that appears. There is clearly a plot unraveling in terms of the shifters vs. non-shifters, and the different kingdoms, and I am excited to see how it all comes together in the third book. The way this book gives us a nice place to lead into the next one does have me quite excited for how they will finally keep Stormshield from being oppressed by the other kingdoms.
Despite my issues with the romance, I will read the third one. Rex seems to have a stronger personality throughout the books so far as a side character, being the himbo that he is, and I am hoping whatever omega comes to deal with what we found during the epilogue will be just as intriguing to learn about.
January 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially after reading the first Storm Shield book. In this book, Prince Thorne, the second prince in the Storm Shield kingdom, unexpectedly meets and rescues Prince Cleo on a deserted island. Thorne is on an expedition on the island for the week and he invites Cleo to join him. The two begin to have feelings for each other, but so much is unknown. When they return to Storm Shield, will the two be able to deepen their relationship or was it just a fling?
I like the way this author paces the story and doesn't leave the reader for too long on one dilemma. There is a lot of action, some limited passion, and a story where omegas are important and respected. The shape-shifting, alchemy, and runes make the story that much more magical. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I like the way this author paces the story and doesn't leave the reader for too long on one dilemma. There is a lot of action, some limited passion, and a story where omegas are important and respected. The shape-shifting, alchemy, and runes make the story that much more magical. I look forward to the next book in the series.
January 26, 2024
4.8
I’m a proud member of the “Protect Cleo Club” he’s such a cinnamon roll. It was so sweet how every little thing amazed him and how he was such a hard worker. I also loved when Thorne was like “time to break the news” and he just giggled like “oh that ol’ thing I’ve already been working on it” by king. They were just a cute couple and I loved how they worked through things together and how they supported each others passions. I love a man who cares for not only his mental health but his husbands too. Thorne da keeper.
The only reason this isn’t a five star is because I felt like some things were glossed over and we really didn’t get a true smut scene although a few were teased and then glossed over.
I’m a proud member of the “Protect Cleo Club” he’s such a cinnamon roll. It was so sweet how every little thing amazed him and how he was such a hard worker. I also loved when Thorne was like “time to break the news” and he just giggled like “oh that ol’ thing I’ve already been working on it” by king. They were just a cute couple and I loved how they worked through things together and how they supported each others passions. I love a man who cares for not only his mental health but his husbands too. Thorne da keeper.
The only reason this isn’t a five star is because I felt like some things were glossed over and we really didn’t get a true smut scene although a few were teased and then glossed over.
March 26, 2022
Gotta say I skimmed this hella more than I did the first one. Yes this too had it's heartfelt moments but it was a bit more OTT than the first (and let me tell ya the first was OTT enough) but I couldn't resist seeing how Thorne's and the next blessing's story would play out so here I am and believe it when I say I'll be here for Rex's too.
At least these two here got their shit together faster than Darien and Raine and you could see that there was a bond and romance happening.
At least these two here got their shit together faster than Darien and Raine and you could see that there was a bond and romance happening.
April 27, 2024
Overly nice, almost everything of interest happens off the page and some promising plot developments just fizzle away. It’s hard to imagine where the overall story arc goes from here, hopefully the author knows. Better on a reread.
January 24, 2022
Alpha's Oath is an amazing addition to the Stormshield series and I loved it. I was totally engaged from the first page to the last and I love the world that the author has created. This is a beautifully written, sweet, emotional, magical and enthralling story with wonderful characters. Thorne is very different from his brothers and this makes him think that he is not a good alpha while Cleo is an omega that has been kept hidden from the world by his family because of his supposed affliction. When they meet they have an instant connection and smoking hot chemistry but they both know they can only have a few days together before Cleo has to continue on his journey and Thorne must return to Stormshield to continue helping his family protect their people and lands from the Alliance. Neither of them are expecting the demands that both of their families place on them but they go along with it. No one is aware that Cleo may have the ability to help Stormshield in their fight for freedom but as they spend time together Thorne and Cleo learn a lot about each other and I love how their relationship evolves. Even amid dealing with attacks from pirates and the Alliance the brothers continue to explore and search for answers about their greatest defensive tool and they begin to understand a lot more about it. The ending is perfect and I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
September 12, 2024
I enjoyed this addition to the Stormshield series although I probably like Darien and Raine's romance a little more. I found Cleo and Thorne's story to be very similar to Darien and Raine's romance. Omega with abilities they are trying to hide, alpha offering omega the world and a chance to explore their abilities, surprise pregnancy, happily-ever-after.
And while the story was predictable I still liked it. Cleo and Thorne have an unconventional meet cute and I enjoyed their moments of solitude on the deserted island. I found these moments to be positively endearing, Cleo finally at peace in his mind and Thorne getting to discover about his people's origins. A little bit of danger but that was quickly dispatched and otherwise these moments of survival were cute. After they return to Stormshield, I could have done without the miscommunication that leads to both Thorne and Cleo feeling rejected by each other.
I also could have done without how long it took Cleo to confess that he knew what runes were, I swear we were over half way into the story and that was the major plot line. After that confession, things start to clear up between Cleo and Thorne and the attention turns towards the shield, pirates, and can Cleo save the day. The pacing could have used some work as some parts dragged out where others I wanted more, but overall I liked the book. I just don't think I would reach for it again.
And while the story was predictable I still liked it. Cleo and Thorne have an unconventional meet cute and I enjoyed their moments of solitude on the deserted island. I found these moments to be positively endearing, Cleo finally at peace in his mind and Thorne getting to discover about his people's origins. A little bit of danger but that was quickly dispatched and otherwise these moments of survival were cute. After they return to Stormshield, I could have done without the miscommunication that leads to both Thorne and Cleo feeling rejected by each other.
I also could have done without how long it took Cleo to confess that he knew what runes were, I swear we were over half way into the story and that was the major plot line. After that confession, things start to clear up between Cleo and Thorne and the attention turns towards the shield, pirates, and can Cleo save the day. The pacing could have used some work as some parts dragged out where others I wanted more, but overall I liked the book. I just don't think I would reach for it again.
May 6, 2022
Alpha’s Oath, the second book of the Stormshield series, is a mostly solid entry that expands the scope and history of the Stormshield world. It follows Prince Thorne, the middle brother of Prince Darien from Book 1, and Cleo, an omega prince from a neutrally aligned kingdom who suffers from a mental disorder. While there’s tension and drama, Alpha’s Oath is low-angst compared to the first book, focusing more on the characters’ relationship.
Thorne meets Cleo on a remote island, Cleo having been washed ashore after his ship sank in a storm. Cleo recovers enough with Thorne’s help to explore the island’s ruins. Thorne hopes the ruins will provide clues to repair Stormshield’s ancient magical defenses, which are failing, before the Allied Kingdoms mount another attack. Sparks fly between the alpha and omega while on the island, but upon their return to Stormshield, international politics, the threat of war, and Cleo’s eroding mental health.
I’m not a big omegaverse fan, though I’ve read a few interesting books, but the Stormshield series keeps my attention. Although there’s some dialogue in this book that feels slightly stilted and the pacing could stand tweaking, the world-building elements more than make up for these drawbacks, and I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thorne meets Cleo on a remote island, Cleo having been washed ashore after his ship sank in a storm. Cleo recovers enough with Thorne’s help to explore the island’s ruins. Thorne hopes the ruins will provide clues to repair Stormshield’s ancient magical defenses, which are failing, before the Allied Kingdoms mount another attack. Sparks fly between the alpha and omega while on the island, but upon their return to Stormshield, international politics, the threat of war, and Cleo’s eroding mental health.
I’m not a big omegaverse fan, though I’ve read a few interesting books, but the Stormshield series keeps my attention. Although there’s some dialogue in this book that feels slightly stilted and the pacing could stand tweaking, the world-building elements more than make up for these drawbacks, and I’m looking forward to the next book.
August 18, 2022
Series, gets better each story. The author has created a great storyline with excellent characters. Cleo, spent his life seeing odd shapes in his mind. He thought he was suffering from a severe delusional mental illness like his omega Dad. He was deemed unmatable and was being sent by his Dad, The King to the priory. He was resigned to his fate, hopeful he would find relief. During a storm, his ship wrecked and he washed up on a deserted island. Thorne, was on a break from guard duty and was taking a week to explore an island looking for clues for Stormshield's origin. They met and each man thought he was not worthy of the other and needed to work together to survive. Can they share their life's secrets? Is Cleo mentally ill? How long will Cleo stay on Stormshield before he continues his journey? What does his Dad, The King say when he finds he's alive? Great story. The brothers are fun, but I really like the omegas. Good flow, lots of excitement. A few questions left unanswered. I am absolutely enjoying this series. Good story, well done!
March 24, 2025
This book was a bit of a let down. This is now the second trilogy by this author that this has happened, where the first book has a strong start and an interesting plot, but then totally loses steam in the second book. There is a third that I doubt I will read because I don’t think I care enough to know how it all ends. That’s not how I felt after book 1. I can’t even say what exactly I didn’t like about it, it had potential but I simply didn’t care all that much about the characters and their love story. It felt shallow and I got bored waiting for them to get it together. Miscommunication tropes are not my thing to begin with, but atleast in a good one you get a glimpse into the emotions and the pining of the characters, you really don’t get that here. I felt like I was being told a story, I was not immersed
May 20, 2025
What a great book to follow on the story of Stormshield. The background plot, which isn't too background actually, is wonderful. The story is very interesting and I loved the couple in this novel.
Cleo and Thorne were so good together. I liked the way they met, and how protective Thorne was towards Cleo from the star. It was so sad to read how Cleo had been treated. Arriving a Stormshield was an opportunity for him to start a new life.
This novel shared some more light into Stormshield's History. The world-building is great and I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know how every new detail the characters learnt fell in place.
There is romance, fighting, royal intrigues and conspiracy against the kingdom of Stormshield. Above all, Cleo and Thorne were perfect as a couple and their love was very touching.
Cleo and Thorne were so good together. I liked the way they met, and how protective Thorne was towards Cleo from the star. It was so sad to read how Cleo had been treated. Arriving a Stormshield was an opportunity for him to start a new life.
This novel shared some more light into Stormshield's History. The world-building is great and I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know how every new detail the characters learnt fell in place.
There is romance, fighting, royal intrigues and conspiracy against the kingdom of Stormshield. Above all, Cleo and Thorne were perfect as a couple and their love was very touching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews