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The Middle Sea #1
The Emperor's Omega
He married a man he had never met. The worst thing he could do was fall in love...
Prince Suriya never expected to marry. When his beloved sister dies shortly before her wedding, he agrees to take her place and marry a man he’s never met. As consort, he has one duty: to produce an heir for his husband and seal the alliance his people so desperately need.
But Suriya carries a secret that holds him back from bonding with his new alpha, even as Emperor Kenosi proves to be far more kind, patient, and handsome than Suriya dared to dream. Alone in a strange country, Suriya struggles with the demands of duty and the increasingly urgent needs of his heart as his secret threatens both his nation’s safety and his own future.
After all, what use is a consort who can’t bear a child?
Prince Suriya never expected to marry. When his beloved sister dies shortly before her wedding, he agrees to take her place and marry a man he’s never met. As consort, he has one duty: to produce an heir for his husband and seal the alliance his people so desperately need.
But Suriya carries a secret that holds him back from bonding with his new alpha, even as Emperor Kenosi proves to be far more kind, patient, and handsome than Suriya dared to dream. Alone in a strange country, Suriya struggles with the demands of duty and the increasingly urgent needs of his heart as his secret threatens both his nation’s safety and his own future.
After all, what use is a consort who can’t bear a child?
339 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
97 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 23, 2023
There's gonna be some spoiler so read it at your own risk!!!
Right when I started to get into the book and appreciate The Tender and gentle delivery, and the writing Sometimes, maybe after like 80% of the book that's when it gets worse plotwise for this book.
It was so long and slow bruh, the fucking pace was torture it took me 3 months to finished this. The plot the storytelling how it really took routes on the traditional aspect of arranged marriage.
Like bruh be fucking fr with me right now
How are you as MY HUSBAND (kenosi) gonna be okay with marrying someone else because ME (SURIYA) Couldn't bear children,
Yall know how i feel about cheating or flirting with someone who isn't the love interest/mc so this one's feels like an arrow straight to my gut 🤣😭.
I know they still ended up together Because he ended up pregnant at the end BUT WHAT IF HE DIDNT, you're gonna marry someone else and just accept me to be happy and tolerate it😃😃.
This is an omegaverse gay story that took place in the past
But please keep that aspect of arranged marriage elsewhere I'm so mad Lmaoao.
I'm sure someone else might love this so yeah this might be just a me problem.
Right when I started to get into the book and appreciate The Tender and gentle delivery, and the writing Sometimes, maybe after like 80% of the book that's when it gets worse plotwise for this book.
It was so long and slow bruh, the fucking pace was torture it took me 3 months to finished this. The plot the storytelling how it really took routes on the traditional aspect of arranged marriage.
Like bruh be fucking fr with me right now
How are you as MY HUSBAND (kenosi) gonna be okay with marrying someone else because ME (SURIYA) Couldn't bear children,
Yall know how i feel about cheating or flirting with someone who isn't the love interest/mc so this one's feels like an arrow straight to my gut 🤣😭.
I know they still ended up together Because he ended up pregnant at the end BUT WHAT IF HE DIDNT, you're gonna marry someone else and just accept me to be happy and tolerate it😃😃.
This is an omegaverse gay story that took place in the past
But please keep that aspect of arranged marriage elsewhere I'm so mad Lmaoao.
I'm sure someone else might love this so yeah this might be just a me problem.
September 11, 2022
The good
+ Kenosi and Suriya both hoping for a close friendship in their marriage
+ Kenosi's patience with Suriya
+ How they merged their cultures and accepted each other's customs (even though Suriya thought hand-holding wasn't romantic, just clammy)
+ Suriya coming out of his shell
+ Suriya being absolutely enamored with how boring Kenosi actually was
+ The way they courted each other, even though they were already married, was *chef's kiss*
+ No jealousy
+ Suriya's friendship with Mosetsa
+ Suriya sacrificing everything for Kenosi
+
+ Kenosi's complete honesty about the future
+ How much they loved each other
The neutral
o Suriya wanted to do more political stuff, but when he had finally learned enough Setsenna they only spent time in the winter palace. A pity, because I would have liked him to be able to find a real place for himself in the government
o Some names were very hard to distinguish. Really, Refilwe and Kefilwe? I had trouble keeping names apart in general, because many were very similar
The bad
- In their society, it was very normal to be in a same-sex relationship. How come the emperor had to have a biological heir then? That seems kind of backwards
-
Quotes
x Suriya barely felt like a person. More like a stray cat who had wandered in. Everyone thought he was cute, but no one wanted to come too near.
This book was so sweet. I love how much effort both of them put in their relationship, and even though they were oblivious dingdongs sometimes, they really fit perfectly together and their connection was so real. I would absolutely recommend this, and I'm diving right into the next book in the series.
+ Kenosi and Suriya both hoping for a close friendship in their marriage
+ Kenosi's patience with Suriya
+ How they merged their cultures and accepted each other's customs (even though Suriya thought hand-holding wasn't romantic, just clammy)
+ Suriya coming out of his shell
+ Suriya being absolutely enamored with how boring Kenosi actually was
+ The way they courted each other, even though they were already married, was *chef's kiss*
+ No jealousy
+ Suriya's friendship with Mosetsa
+ Suriya sacrificing everything for Kenosi
+
+ Kenosi's complete honesty about the future
+ How much they loved each other
The neutral
o Suriya wanted to do more political stuff, but when he had finally learned enough Setsenna they only spent time in the winter palace. A pity, because I would have liked him to be able to find a real place for himself in the government
o Some names were very hard to distinguish. Really, Refilwe and Kefilwe? I had trouble keeping names apart in general, because many were very similar
The bad
- In their society, it was very normal to be in a same-sex relationship. How come the emperor had to have a biological heir then? That seems kind of backwards
-
Quotes
x Suriya barely felt like a person. More like a stray cat who had wandered in. Everyone thought he was cute, but no one wanted to come too near.
This book was so sweet. I love how much effort both of them put in their relationship, and even though they were oblivious dingdongs sometimes, they really fit perfectly together and their connection was so real. I would absolutely recommend this, and I'm diving right into the next book in the series.
December 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it had so many of my favorite tropes (arranged marriage, fish out of water, cultural differences) and it pulled them off in such a good way. The emotional development between the characters was great, I loved seeing how they slowly got to know each other and learned how to interact. Every time the point of view changed and I got to see one of them through the other MCs eyes it was interesting to see the differences in their thoughts and actions and how they perceived each other. Suriya was a total sweetheart and it was nice to see him eventually find his place, although I wish we had gotten to see him get more involved in politics since it was brought up as something he was good at and might want to do. The book had a slow, cozy vibe, but it didn't feel too long or slowly paced to me. Overall a sweet romance with some nice dashes of angst.
November 30, 2021
Love had come to him and curled up in his heart like a cat curling up on someone’s bed: content, settled in.
Look, I don’t know your reading habits; maybe you’re an avid reader of a/b/o and will fall hungrily upon it any chance you got, maybe the mere thought of it turns you into a dried-up husk, maybe you fall somewhere in the middle. For my part, I only ever read a/b/o if I really, really like and trust the author and their writing, and when I see the name Corey Kerr I’m in, no matter the subject matter. Like, really and truly Corey Kerr is an insta-read for me.
And The Emperor’s Omega delivers—my point is that I suspect you’ll find something to enjoy here regardless of whether or not a/b/o is your usual go to, because this shit is delectable. It pushes all the right buttons, the ones that make you (me) want to scream and abandon all your worldly responsibilities and keep reading until dawn. You know the stuff. It’s that Corey Kerr knows you, or at least knows the human experience and the exquisite ache of love and desire more broadly, which sure makes it feel like she has front-row seats to the view from everyone’s tiny and tender little heart.
Love was its own fever in Suriya’s body, hot in his veins.
The plot doesn’t matter. Who fucking cares about the plot? I came here to read Corey Kerr. Even so, however, the book is competently plotted—I’m seeing a few people knock it as too slow, which I entirely disagree with, because it’s about the LONGING!!!! The burn is honestly not even that slow!!!!! IT’S ABOUT LETTING THINGS BREATHE AND GIVING THEM SPACE!!
The basic premise is that a prince and an emperor from very different societies have to get arranged married for reasons, and that’s about all you need to dive in. The ‘very different societies’ aspect is, for me, what really shines here (other than the romance, which is obviously the big draw, but like, that goes without saying, right?). The book isn’t overly bogged down with detail—you won’t need a dramatis personae, glossary, or map to get by—but the world-building feels rich and lived-in and provides genuinely interesting ways for the two leads to differ from one another’s expectations.
Plus, the leads’ characterization is really solid and, mercifully, distinct. Like, how many romance novels are incapable of distinguishing their leads’ voices because like... Fortunately, Kerr does not suffer from this issue.
I don’t know what more to tell you. They’re fucking in love! This is the good shit! But like seriously, if you like a good, smutty romance* and are not irreconcilably squicked by a/b/o/mpreg (because like, mpreg is not the FOCUS of this book, but it does also very much take place in a world in which people whose anatomy conforms more to that of real-world cis men than any other real-world analogue can and are expected to bear children), take a risk take a chance make a change and maybe...give The Emperor’s Omega a shot???
Suriya lay down with him and held Kenosi in his arms, filled with painfully sweet nostalgia, a soft ache inside his chest like a rotten spot on a plum.
Delicious. I eat it up. Ñam ñam ñam.
*[also, for anyone who somehow stumbles across this review without following me on here, please note that ‘trash romance’ is merely my tag signalling that smut is present and is NOT in any way indicative of writing quality, this writing is GOOD it is SO GOOD like this is WRÎTÍNGE]
dnf
September 4, 2022Paused at 35%. I love all the cultural stuff in this book, but the pacing is really slow and I'm not sure I'm in the mood for an infertility story. I might pick this up again in the future.
June 30, 2022
I'm very new to the Omegaverse(?). The few samples I've read tended toward fetishism with a strong dose of misogyny. Not my bag. So when I saw this book I didn't have a lot of hope.
I'm so glad I was wrong. Kerr really built a world. Kenosi is emperor of Setsenoy. It has been arranged that he marry a princess from a distant country as a way of bonding the two in a treaty. But before she can arrive she dies from some illness. In her stead her youngest brother is sent as he is an Omega.
Suriya, his new consort, has been sheltered and a bit spoiled as the youngest of his family. He was meant to go into the clergy. But now he finds himself far from family. In a new land, with new language and customs. There's a lot of pressure for him to do well in his marriage and his country depends upon Kerosi's protection.
I really enjoyed this story
I loved the world building. Suriya's struggle adapting with the ways of his new home. And I really enjoyed the budding love of Suriya and Kenosi. Yes, is was a slow read, but I loved every bit of it!
I'm so glad I was wrong. Kerr really built a world. Kenosi is emperor of Setsenoy. It has been arranged that he marry a princess from a distant country as a way of bonding the two in a treaty. But before she can arrive she dies from some illness. In her stead her youngest brother is sent as he is an Omega.
Suriya, his new consort, has been sheltered and a bit spoiled as the youngest of his family. He was meant to go into the clergy. But now he finds himself far from family. In a new land, with new language and customs. There's a lot of pressure for him to do well in his marriage and his country depends upon Kerosi's protection.
I really enjoyed this story
I loved the world building. Suriya's struggle adapting with the ways of his new home. And I really enjoyed the budding love of Suriya and Kenosi. Yes, is was a slow read, but I loved every bit of it!
November 11, 2021
I love this trope but this was too long for not really having a plot. Considering the setup, there should have been some type of conflict, angst etc ...this was pretty chill with not much happening other than 2 men meeting and falling in love.
January 24, 2023
Sobbed the last 15% of the book. Totally unexpectedly a.ter almost dnfing.
Read
December 1, 2024DNF @ 12%. I was extremely not in the right mood, slash I think this is probably just another Not For Me read.
I don’t love fantasy of manners - frankly it stresses me out because I feel like I would crash and burn in those kinds of environments….. I did not leave the Midwest just to be subjected to this in my fiction lol.
I also wasn’t really feeling a burning desire to empathize with an emperor who just seems to be chilling all day - I tried the whole “it’s a metaphor for us normal non-emperors IRL, just in a fantasy setting to add some variety” mind trick but I was just not buying what I myself was selling (lol). So I figured I’d just call it.
This did come highly reviewed so I feel like if you Ike this kind of this, you’ll like this thing. Maybe if I had been in a mood to keep trying this I would be enjoying it right now….
I don’t love fantasy of manners - frankly it stresses me out because I feel like I would crash and burn in those kinds of environments….. I did not leave the Midwest just to be subjected to this in my fiction lol.
I also wasn’t really feeling a burning desire to empathize with an emperor who just seems to be chilling all day - I tried the whole “it’s a metaphor for us normal non-emperors IRL, just in a fantasy setting to add some variety” mind trick but I was just not buying what I myself was selling (lol). So I figured I’d just call it.
This did come highly reviewed so I feel like if you Ike this kind of this, you’ll like this thing. Maybe if I had been in a mood to keep trying this I would be enjoying it right now….
July 28, 2022
3.5 Stars
The first thing that caught my attention about this novel was that ALL of the characters were described in varying shades of brown It was a pleasant surprise.Then came… everything else. This story was low-angst and light. The MCs were sweet and I thought the world the author crafted was really interesting. I think it’s a great and easy way to show the reader the culture when one character is learning to navigate it, especially when the customs of his home are so different. In these settings only do I find miscommunication to be portrayed in a believable way.
While I did really enjoy getting to know these characters, this book wasn’t a full 4 stars for me. There was a point where everything seemed so good between Kenosi and Suriya, but the secret still hadn’t been revealed and I was getting anxious about how it would be handled. Of course there would be a happy ending, but would this light, lovely story have a third act conflict that threw off the whole tone/vibe of the book? Luckily, that was not the case, but I did end up skipping ahead to make sure.
I do kind of understand why the author waited until, around, 90% to make the reveal. But I wish she had done it sooner. My other complaint is about the ending. I did like it, and it was extremely sweet… But I kind of wish the author had followed through with the plan. It would have made for an interesting subversion. If she had done that, it would have been cool if the book was a bit longer so we could read how that dynamic played out. Otherwise, I thought that all of the characters were pretty well-fleshed out. And I remained invested in the story throughout, which is why I rounded my rating up to 4 stars.
I’d recommend this one if you’re in the mood for an arranged marriage tale that’s light on the politics, but heavy on the sweetness.
This is a new-to-me author who I see myself reading more of.
The first thing that caught my attention about this novel was that ALL of the characters were described in varying shades of brown It was a pleasant surprise.Then came… everything else. This story was low-angst and light. The MCs were sweet and I thought the world the author crafted was really interesting. I think it’s a great and easy way to show the reader the culture when one character is learning to navigate it, especially when the customs of his home are so different. In these settings only do I find miscommunication to be portrayed in a believable way.
While I did really enjoy getting to know these characters, this book wasn’t a full 4 stars for me. There was a point where everything seemed so good between Kenosi and Suriya, but the secret still hadn’t been revealed and I was getting anxious about how it would be handled. Of course there would be a happy ending, but would this light, lovely story have a third act conflict that threw off the whole tone/vibe of the book? Luckily, that was not the case, but I did end up skipping ahead to make sure.
I do kind of understand why the author waited until, around, 90% to make the reveal. But I wish she had done it sooner. My other complaint is about the ending. I did like it, and it was extremely sweet… But I kind of wish the author had followed through with the plan. It would have made for an interesting subversion. If she had done that, it would have been cool if the book was a bit longer so we could read how that dynamic played out. Otherwise, I thought that all of the characters were pretty well-fleshed out. And I remained invested in the story throughout, which is why I rounded my rating up to 4 stars.
I’d recommend this one if you’re in the mood for an arranged marriage tale that’s light on the politics, but heavy on the sweetness.
This is a new-to-me author who I see myself reading more of.
May 12, 2022
Love the premise but it was soooo slow.
I don't mind slow usually; I like that they took the time to play out scenes at length, especially since the "learning to adjust to a new culture" is imo a core part of the arranged marriage trope.
However, considering that there was no immediate plot to speak of, and the overall plot-thread didn't move until the very end, it was too slow and meandering.
Maybe it was the intent of the author to have a conflict-free, slice-of-life reading experience, but I would still recommend some more concrete events for the characters to deal with, even if the stakes for those aren't set very high.
I don't mind slow usually; I like that they took the time to play out scenes at length, especially since the "learning to adjust to a new culture" is imo a core part of the arranged marriage trope.
However, considering that there was no immediate plot to speak of, and the overall plot-thread didn't move until the very end, it was too slow and meandering.
Maybe it was the intent of the author to have a conflict-free, slice-of-life reading experience, but I would still recommend some more concrete events for the characters to deal with, even if the stakes for those aren't set very high.
November 24, 2021
Sweet, low steam, dull plot.
February 3, 2025
December 2022
3.5 stars = good, but unlikely to be reread
Emperor Kenosi (nearing 30) of the country of Setsen,
marries Prince Suriya (18) of the country of Chedi,
to form a political alliance that'll benefit their nations.
Originally, Kenosi was going to marry Setsen's older sister, but she passed away from a wasting disease. Now, Suriya is the only choice left. Suriya is an omega who suffered from red fever as a child, which makes it unlikely he can have children. The Chedina family keeps this a secret from Kenosi because they desperately need the Setsenoy navy to protect their country from attacks.
Thus begins a marriage founded on deception. Kenosi delayed marriage to create a beneficial alliance, and now he needs an heir. During the story, Suriya's secret creates a simmering conflict that is waiting to surface.
😢 Poor Suriya, my heart went out to him:
🔹Suriya couldn’t rely solely on Kenosi for companionship—partly because it wasn’t a good idea to put all of your coins into one purse, but also because he was still, selfishly, afraid to build a strong connection with Kenosi.
🔹 It was a cruel twist of fate that had brought him everything he privately longed for—a kind spouse, a chance for a loving marriage—but built it on grief and deceit. He could have this joy, but only for a short time.
🔹 Even if he and Kenosi did manage to bond, that would only mark the beginning of the wait for a baby, and in Suriya’s case, that wait would end only when Kenosi could no longer wait. There would be no happy ending for him, like in stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4️⃣ 🇸🇹🇦🇷🇸 🇫🇴🇷:
⭐ The Writing.
This story is unique and well-written, with depth. The words flow smoothly, filled with vivid imagery and detailed descriptions. C.K. is a talented writer, among the best I've come across. I didn't notice any grammar mistakes, and only caught one minor inconsistency.
The One Inconsistency:
▪️ An omega in a poor match wouldn’t bond or conceive.
▪️ "So for you, married to a stranger, I think it's natural for bonding to take some time."
Yet
▪️ There was no formula for it. Suriya had heard stories of omegas who bonded with strangers, and omegas who didn't bond with their dearly beloved spouses even after many decades together.
So which one is true? 🤔
⭐ The Characters.
Kenosi and Suriya are both likable people, fleshed-out and distinct. There was never any confusion as to who was speaking.
⭐ The Romance.
The relationship developed slowly and naturally. No insta-love. The MCs talked and got to know each other over time. Sex did not equate love, which many authors use to cut corners instead of taking the time to write meaningful interactions.
❤️ Their love felt real and as deep as the ocean.
♥️ Suriya's heat rose higher with each drag of Kenosi's cock inside him, like a river climbing its banks during a flood, read to spill over. His heart felt ready to spill over, too. Kenosi was always good to him during sex, but it had never been quite like this, with Kenosi kissing him all over his face and gazing into his eyes, as if Suriya were precious to him. “Little star,” Kenosi whispered. “Little sun,” and Suriya clung to him and knew what he was feeling and was afraid to put a name to it; but it was real nonetheless.
♥️ He had been keeping part of his heart closed off to Kenosi for all these months, afraid of the pain that would come if he let himself love Kenosi fully, the way he longed to. But Kenosi knew all of his secrets now. There was nothing more to hide. His open heart had given itself over to Kenosi for good: for the rest of their lives. He could think of no safer place for it to be.
♥️ “I love you,” Kenosi said quietly, shining with the reflection of Suriya’s own love. He held Suriya in his arms as they passed joy back and forth between them in a circle that had no end.
⭐ The Steamy Sex Scenes.
They are tasteful, natural and not written like porn scenes. There are enough scenes to satisfy, without taking over the story. Kenosi takes good care of Suriya during his heats, making it pleasurable for them both.
🛑 So why a 3.5 rating?
(Spoilers Below!)
The plot slowly unfolds, requiring readers to be patient. The miscommunication drama at the start made the story more intriguing, even though I wanted to kick Kenosi for being so clueless. I appreciate angst when there's little in the way of action or suspense.
Speaking of the miscommunication, Kenosi says:
“I didn’t come to you at night because I was waiting for you to come to me. That’s our custom here. The omega always chooses.”
So, that was why Kenosi hadn't gone to Suriya or asked him to come. But that didn't mean he couldn't express his feelings! Kenosi could've said he missed Suriya or desired him. Something as simple as that would've let Suriya know he was wanted. Yet Kenosi remained silent for weeks, even though Suriya was clearly unhappy. It wasn't until six weeks later, when Suriya said he knew Kenosi didn't want him, that the issue was finally resolved. Ugh, talk about frustrating! 😬
After the issue was resolved around the halfway point, the story slowed down and became less engaging. The detailed descriptions of daily life and things in and around the palace, like the garden, didn't hold my interest. I found myself skimming to move things along. I prefer stories with a faster pace and more drama. While there were some interesting parts—the cultural misunderstanding at the beginning, and the worry over bonding towards the end, much of the middle was on the dull side.
At the very end, Suriya's secret is found out when red fever spreads to the palace.
❤️ The ending was my favorite part. For those worried about a big dramatic scene with the MCs fighting, rest easy—love wins out quickly. Kenosi started off feeling upset, but he found Suriya's letter, which revealed the depth of Suriya's love for him. Soon after, he went to Suriya to offer comfort and support.
I was disappointed that we didn't see what happened between Kenosi and the deceitful Chedi. Kenosi mentioned he had a lot to say to Chedi, but we never got to see it. It would have been nice to see Kenosi take on the role of a tough alpha emperor for once, instead of just the sweet, gentle man he is with Suriya.
Minor Quibbles:
🔻 I prefer for the omega to be smaller than the alpha. In this case, Suriya is bigger than Kenosi.
🔻 I also prefer in Omegaverse, for the alpha to be the top and the omega to be the bottom. Here they're both versatile.
* I will be reading more books by this author.
3.5 stars = good, but unlikely to be reread
Emperor Kenosi (nearing 30) of the country of Setsen,
marries Prince Suriya (18) of the country of Chedi,
to form a political alliance that'll benefit their nations.
Originally, Kenosi was going to marry Setsen's older sister, but she passed away from a wasting disease. Now, Suriya is the only choice left. Suriya is an omega who suffered from red fever as a child, which makes it unlikely he can have children. The Chedina family keeps this a secret from Kenosi because they desperately need the Setsenoy navy to protect their country from attacks.
Thus begins a marriage founded on deception. Kenosi delayed marriage to create a beneficial alliance, and now he needs an heir. During the story, Suriya's secret creates a simmering conflict that is waiting to surface.
😢 Poor Suriya, my heart went out to him:
🔹Suriya couldn’t rely solely on Kenosi for companionship—partly because it wasn’t a good idea to put all of your coins into one purse, but also because he was still, selfishly, afraid to build a strong connection with Kenosi.
🔹 It was a cruel twist of fate that had brought him everything he privately longed for—a kind spouse, a chance for a loving marriage—but built it on grief and deceit. He could have this joy, but only for a short time.
🔹 Even if he and Kenosi did manage to bond, that would only mark the beginning of the wait for a baby, and in Suriya’s case, that wait would end only when Kenosi could no longer wait. There would be no happy ending for him, like in stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4️⃣ 🇸🇹🇦🇷🇸 🇫🇴🇷:
⭐ The Writing.
This story is unique and well-written, with depth. The words flow smoothly, filled with vivid imagery and detailed descriptions. C.K. is a talented writer, among the best I've come across. I didn't notice any grammar mistakes, and only caught one minor inconsistency.
The One Inconsistency:
▪️ An omega in a poor match wouldn’t bond or conceive.
▪️ "So for you, married to a stranger, I think it's natural for bonding to take some time."
Yet
▪️ There was no formula for it. Suriya had heard stories of omegas who bonded with strangers, and omegas who didn't bond with their dearly beloved spouses even after many decades together.
So which one is true? 🤔
⭐ The Characters.
Kenosi and Suriya are both likable people, fleshed-out and distinct. There was never any confusion as to who was speaking.
⭐ The Romance.
The relationship developed slowly and naturally. No insta-love. The MCs talked and got to know each other over time. Sex did not equate love, which many authors use to cut corners instead of taking the time to write meaningful interactions.
❤️ Their love felt real and as deep as the ocean.
♥️ Suriya's heat rose higher with each drag of Kenosi's cock inside him, like a river climbing its banks during a flood, read to spill over. His heart felt ready to spill over, too. Kenosi was always good to him during sex, but it had never been quite like this, with Kenosi kissing him all over his face and gazing into his eyes, as if Suriya were precious to him. “Little star,” Kenosi whispered. “Little sun,” and Suriya clung to him and knew what he was feeling and was afraid to put a name to it; but it was real nonetheless.
♥️ He had been keeping part of his heart closed off to Kenosi for all these months, afraid of the pain that would come if he let himself love Kenosi fully, the way he longed to. But Kenosi knew all of his secrets now. There was nothing more to hide. His open heart had given itself over to Kenosi for good: for the rest of their lives. He could think of no safer place for it to be.
♥️ “I love you,” Kenosi said quietly, shining with the reflection of Suriya’s own love. He held Suriya in his arms as they passed joy back and forth between them in a circle that had no end.
⭐ The Steamy Sex Scenes.
They are tasteful, natural and not written like porn scenes. There are enough scenes to satisfy, without taking over the story. Kenosi takes good care of Suriya during his heats, making it pleasurable for them both.
🛑 So why a 3.5 rating?
(Spoilers Below!)
The plot slowly unfolds, requiring readers to be patient. The miscommunication drama at the start made the story more intriguing, even though I wanted to kick Kenosi for being so clueless. I appreciate angst when there's little in the way of action or suspense.
Speaking of the miscommunication, Kenosi says:
“I didn’t come to you at night because I was waiting for you to come to me. That’s our custom here. The omega always chooses.”
So, that was why Kenosi hadn't gone to Suriya or asked him to come. But that didn't mean he couldn't express his feelings! Kenosi could've said he missed Suriya or desired him. Something as simple as that would've let Suriya know he was wanted. Yet Kenosi remained silent for weeks, even though Suriya was clearly unhappy. It wasn't until six weeks later, when Suriya said he knew Kenosi didn't want him, that the issue was finally resolved. Ugh, talk about frustrating! 😬
After the issue was resolved around the halfway point, the story slowed down and became less engaging. The detailed descriptions of daily life and things in and around the palace, like the garden, didn't hold my interest. I found myself skimming to move things along. I prefer stories with a faster pace and more drama. While there were some interesting parts—the cultural misunderstanding at the beginning, and the worry over bonding towards the end, much of the middle was on the dull side.
At the very end, Suriya's secret is found out when red fever spreads to the palace.
❤️ The ending was my favorite part. For those worried about a big dramatic scene with the MCs fighting, rest easy—love wins out quickly. Kenosi started off feeling upset, but he found Suriya's letter, which revealed the depth of Suriya's love for him. Soon after, he went to Suriya to offer comfort and support.
I was disappointed that we didn't see what happened between Kenosi and the deceitful Chedi. Kenosi mentioned he had a lot to say to Chedi, but we never got to see it. It would have been nice to see Kenosi take on the role of a tough alpha emperor for once, instead of just the sweet, gentle man he is with Suriya.
Minor Quibbles:
🔻 I prefer for the omega to be smaller than the alpha. In this case, Suriya is bigger than Kenosi.
🔻 I also prefer in Omegaverse, for the alpha to be the top and the omega to be the bottom. Here they're both versatile.
* I will be reading more books by this author.
May 13, 2022
I read the first section a few weeks ago and it was such a perfect stopping point that I got distracted and it fell by the wayside. I picked it back up this week and finished the last two thirds in a day and half. It’s very sweet, with a thread of mild angst, but the emotions are kind of . . . not muted precisely, but because the MCs are from two different lands with different languages and customs, there are some understandable miscommunications (apart from the secret the omega is keeping from his emperor husband.) The feelings are mostly interior for most of the book, sort of restrained pining? Fans of Honeythorn who wanted something gentler might prefer this book. I’m definitely planning to continue on with this series.
June 28, 2022
This book is very sweet. Like it's one of those stories where nominally there's some tension but mostly it's just two dudes falling in love.
I was initially very apprehensive about the setting given that the two cultures are West African and Afghan coded but it was handled in a way that wasn't exotifying in the least! In fact, I found that Kenosi was significantly more tolerant about how his spouse was treated in his spouse's home country than I would be.
It was a fun time.
I was initially very apprehensive about the setting given that the two cultures are West African and Afghan coded but it was handled in a way that wasn't exotifying in the least! In fact, I found that Kenosi was significantly more tolerant about how his spouse was treated in his spouse's home country than I would be.
It was a fun time.
August 31, 2022
Was sweet. Nothing over the top happened, it was mainly day to day adorable fluff. Good for the soul.
Loved the mix mash of different cultures
Loved the mix mash of different cultures
February 17, 2023
Review to come!
November 2, 2024
they ❤️
January 5, 2022
To me it was boring, I just couldn't connect with it.
September 18, 2022
This was the softest, gentlest most beautiful love story I have read in a while and I fell into it like a person sinking into a hot bath at the end of a busy day. I really loved the world building and I enjoyed the ceremony and the different cultures that were on display in the novel. I also loved the two main characters who seemed to want nothing but to be happy and to make one another happy. It was truly a great read and I had no choice but to stay up late to finish it.
February 13, 2023
Meh. It’s read just like an MF sweet romance with the pronouns changed. Story was too long, with any actual development only towards the end.
June 11, 2022
This might possibly be the best book I've ever read.
The writing had so much depth and emotion, and I felt real grief and joy with the characters.
This story was absolutely beautiful, and I knew I'd love it as soon as Suriya was described as having a "big nose".
Anyways, this was everything to me and I hope that someday I reread it again with all the exact pleasure and wonder as I had the first time.
The writing had so much depth and emotion, and I felt real grief and joy with the characters.
This story was absolutely beautiful, and I knew I'd love it as soon as Suriya was described as having a "big nose".
Anyways, this was everything to me and I hope that someday I reread it again with all the exact pleasure and wonder as I had the first time.
November 13, 2021
DNF @ 5%
The writing just feels exceedingly dry to me with a needlessly long set up
The writing just feels exceedingly dry to me with a needlessly long set up
December 9, 2022
that’s such a nice quiet book tho and in the end i felt so much of suriya’s love for kenosi that i couldn’t help but tear up at how sad he was
dats some gud shit
dats some gud shit
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this sweet and engaging MM fantasy despite the story being ABO and mpreg, which usually is not my thing at all. TBH, I probably liked it because there wasn't much of these tropes in it. It was mostly a sweet, character-driven fantasy about an innocent young prince who had to marry the emperor of a neighboring kingdom to ensure an alliance between their countries. Stories like that always intrigue me and I'm glad I gave it a try. :)
The prince, Suriya, is an omega (which means he gets into heat and is able to get pregnant), but as far as I understood, every male would be able to act as an alpha. Or maybe the emperor, Kenosi, is an alpha? It wasn't explained and I was never really sure about that. I didn't much care, though, because the story was mostly centered around Suriya and Kenosi getting to know each other, overcoming cultural differences and falling in love. And of course the big deceit that is mentioned in the blurb. There was not much emphasis on the ABO (or the mpreg) which was explained by there not being many omegas in the world anymore and the knowledge about omegas having been mostly lost.
I've always loved a story where a character gets to explore a foreign land and culture and finding their true home and family. And even though Suriya didn't have a bad life in his home country, the story had undertones of found family and coming into your own as a person. Suriya is only 18 when he marries and has led a very sheltered life. Kenosi is 30 but it never felt like an age-gap story.
The political background was a bit fuzzy and not wholly explained. It left some lingering questions for me about the deceit that happened. Suriyas people didn't seem to be overly concerned about it getting discovered. It's never explained and I'm still not sure why they didn't worry about repercussions.
It is in sync with the tone of the story, though. Everyone is pretty mild-mannered and tolerant of the other countries culture and customs, which I liked. The world building was enough to show me all I needed to know about these two nations to follow the story, but it didn't go into detail about other countries. They were only mentioned in passing. The world had two moons, so it was on another planet. But this is fantasy not scifi, so no further explanations were given and I was fine with that. The two nations seemed like a random mix of Earth cultures, though, with names of animals and plants that were familiar (like antelopes and lemures and baobab trees and acacias). The Setsennai seemed like a mix between Black and Asian people, both in looks and in customs, and the Chenai were more like a mix of Middle Eastern and Caucasian people. It was a bit confusing at the beginning, but very interesting and I was eager to find out more. It baffled me a bit that the two countries didn't know more about their respective customs, because they already had political relations prior to the wedding. But most of the conflict in the first part of the book was through a misunderstanding between Suriya and Kenosi due to their different customs, so I think that was deliberate on the authors part, if not very plausible. But I have to admit, it was engrossing to follow Suriya on his journey to find his place in this foreign land.
In general, I could live with some things not making complete sense, because both main characters were instantly likeable, there wasn't any unnecessary drama and the writing was pleasant and flowed effortlessly.
I'm certainly interested in finding out more about this world and will most likely continue with the series. Though I'm sad that the next book is about a different couple and the next book after that, too. I would have liked to stay with Suriya and Kenosi a while longer. But the future stories seem to explore more about other nations in this world, so the theme of "fish out of water" keeps going and I like that very much. :)
I really enjoyed this sweet and engaging MM fantasy despite the story being ABO and mpreg, which usually is not my thing at all. TBH, I probably liked it because there wasn't much of these tropes in it. It was mostly a sweet, character-driven fantasy about an innocent young prince who had to marry the emperor of a neighboring kingdom to ensure an alliance between their countries. Stories like that always intrigue me and I'm glad I gave it a try. :)
The prince, Suriya, is an omega (which means he gets into heat and is able to get pregnant), but as far as I understood, every male would be able to act as an alpha. Or maybe the emperor, Kenosi, is an alpha? It wasn't explained and I was never really sure about that. I didn't much care, though, because the story was mostly centered around Suriya and Kenosi getting to know each other, overcoming cultural differences and falling in love. And of course the big deceit that is mentioned in the blurb. There was not much emphasis on the ABO (or the mpreg) which was explained by there not being many omegas in the world anymore and the knowledge about omegas having been mostly lost.
I've always loved a story where a character gets to explore a foreign land and culture and finding their true home and family. And even though Suriya didn't have a bad life in his home country, the story had undertones of found family and coming into your own as a person. Suriya is only 18 when he marries and has led a very sheltered life. Kenosi is 30 but it never felt like an age-gap story.
The political background was a bit fuzzy and not wholly explained. It left some lingering questions for me about the deceit that happened. Suriyas people didn't seem to be overly concerned about it getting discovered. It's never explained and I'm still not sure why they didn't worry about repercussions.
It is in sync with the tone of the story, though. Everyone is pretty mild-mannered and tolerant of the other countries culture and customs, which I liked. The world building was enough to show me all I needed to know about these two nations to follow the story, but it didn't go into detail about other countries. They were only mentioned in passing. The world had two moons, so it was on another planet. But this is fantasy not scifi, so no further explanations were given and I was fine with that. The two nations seemed like a random mix of Earth cultures, though, with names of animals and plants that were familiar (like antelopes and lemures and baobab trees and acacias). The Setsennai seemed like a mix between Black and Asian people, both in looks and in customs, and the Chenai were more like a mix of Middle Eastern and Caucasian people. It was a bit confusing at the beginning, but very interesting and I was eager to find out more. It baffled me a bit that the two countries didn't know more about their respective customs, because they already had political relations prior to the wedding. But most of the conflict in the first part of the book was through a misunderstanding between Suriya and Kenosi due to their different customs, so I think that was deliberate on the authors part, if not very plausible. But I have to admit, it was engrossing to follow Suriya on his journey to find his place in this foreign land.
In general, I could live with some things not making complete sense, because both main characters were instantly likeable, there wasn't any unnecessary drama and the writing was pleasant and flowed effortlessly.
I'm certainly interested in finding out more about this world and will most likely continue with the series. Though I'm sad that the next book is about a different couple and the next book after that, too. I would have liked to stay with Suriya and Kenosi a while longer. But the future stories seem to explore more about other nations in this world, so the theme of "fish out of water" keeps going and I like that very much. :)
January 3, 2023
4.25⭐️
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I seem to have a fondness for the arranged marriage, strangers to friends to lovers trope. That should come as no surprise to me with my most recent fave reads like Infidelity Clause by Lisa Oliver, A Strange And Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows and The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr.
This book was character driven, mostly Suriya (the consort) rather than Kenosi (the emperor). This was a dual POV with the POV's split between the 2 in a 60/40 split. Even though this was a story that takes place in the name of a political alliance between 2 countries it mostly focussed on the relationship that develops between the 2 strangers who are brought together for the sake of duty to their respective people. It also focussed on how Suriya deals with being so far from home in a country where he does not speak the language and who has not prepared for the role of a consort for years like his sister.
This was a story that was low angst done well. I like my fair share or political intrigue in my books but usually the machinations just get a bit too much for me. In this story this was kept to a minimum if not non existant and yet I didn't feel it was required to bring the plot forward. I also loved that both the MC's had to work to make their relationship work and that their issues didn't magically go away by the end of the book. They had to look at solutions that were not entirely satisfactory but they would both go through with them if they had to as that would give them a chance to still be together.
I am rambling now. I guess I really did love this book as anytime I ramble and make almost no sense it means I loved a book :P I amglad that I have had a 4 star of the year already. I am only sorry that I do not have a lot of people to recommend this book to as I do not know of anyone else in my circle who reads omegaverse and would understand what mpreg is. But if there is anyone who reads this review and decides to read this book regardless of the crap review, please do . And comment what you thought of the book.
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. I seem to have a fondness for the arranged marriage, strangers to friends to lovers trope. That should come as no surprise to me with my most recent fave reads like Infidelity Clause by Lisa Oliver, A Strange And Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows and The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr.
This book was character driven, mostly Suriya (the consort) rather than Kenosi (the emperor). This was a dual POV with the POV's split between the 2 in a 60/40 split. Even though this was a story that takes place in the name of a political alliance between 2 countries it mostly focussed on the relationship that develops between the 2 strangers who are brought together for the sake of duty to their respective people. It also focussed on how Suriya deals with being so far from home in a country where he does not speak the language and who has not prepared for the role of a consort for years like his sister.
This was a story that was low angst done well. I like my fair share or political intrigue in my books but usually the machinations just get a bit too much for me. In this story this was kept to a minimum if not non existant and yet I didn't feel it was required to bring the plot forward. I also loved that both the MC's had to work to make their relationship work and that their issues didn't magically go away by the end of the book. They had to look at solutions that were not entirely satisfactory but they would both go through with them if they had to as that would give them a chance to still be together.
I am rambling now. I guess I really did love this book as anytime I ramble and make almost no sense it means I loved a book :P I amglad that I have had a 4 star of the year already. I am only sorry that I do not have a lot of people to recommend this book to as I do not know of anyone else in my circle who reads omegaverse and would understand what mpreg is. But if there is anyone who reads this review and decides to read this book regardless of the crap review, please do . And comment what you thought of the book.
September 15, 2024
This was fine! It was so low-stakes as to be pretty boring which isn't really my bag, but I know will make a lot of people happy and it's also likely that the issue of infertility and those potential consequences run throughout will feel higher stakes to different readers, but because this changes POV and we get very clear glimpses of the idea that those consequences aren't actually real in the way Suriya believes they are, the entire story amounts to a series of miscommunications designed to torture Suriya for seemingly no reason at all, especially since those fears ultimately don't even come to fruition.
I know that Omegaverse and mpreg type stuff is a fan fiction trope that has made it's way to publishing and I'm not particularly bothered by that, but to be quite honest I think it's one thing to have someone who writes something like this and puts it on the internet for free and to read that kind of thing and accept the precepts of the trope, but it's another thing to pay money for it and still end up with the same question: where does the poop go?
I respect the hustle and I respect the effort and this is a very sweet story that I think is vaguely trying to address the question by kind of out of nowhere explicitly introducing magic about 70% of the way through the book (and also doing a There Are Mysteriously Very Few Omegas Now type bit) but ultimately if I am paying for world-building, I just feel like handwaving the digestive track's intermingling with the reproductive one feels kind of goofy and distracting, especially when it's so clearly being written around because it knows it's nonsensical.
I'm not asking for extensive logic or the medical details of self-lubricating buttholes and anatomical drawings of where exactly the cervix is located -- human(oid) bodies are weird! there's a lot of room up in there for stuff to be going on -- but so many of these problems would be solved by giving omegas another hole and my wife wouldn't have to hear me plaintively drop my Kindle every night and go, "But where does the poop go?!" as though lamenting my seafaring husband lost to the icy waters of the Arctic.
I know that Omegaverse and mpreg type stuff is a fan fiction trope that has made it's way to publishing and I'm not particularly bothered by that, but to be quite honest I think it's one thing to have someone who writes something like this and puts it on the internet for free and to read that kind of thing and accept the precepts of the trope, but it's another thing to pay money for it and still end up with the same question: where does the poop go?
I respect the hustle and I respect the effort and this is a very sweet story that I think is vaguely trying to address the question by kind of out of nowhere explicitly introducing magic about 70% of the way through the book (and also doing a There Are Mysteriously Very Few Omegas Now type bit) but ultimately if I am paying for world-building, I just feel like handwaving the digestive track's intermingling with the reproductive one feels kind of goofy and distracting, especially when it's so clearly being written around because it knows it's nonsensical.
I'm not asking for extensive logic or the medical details of self-lubricating buttholes and anatomical drawings of where exactly the cervix is located -- human(oid) bodies are weird! there's a lot of room up in there for stuff to be going on -- but so many of these problems would be solved by giving omegas another hole and my wife wouldn't have to hear me plaintively drop my Kindle every night and go, "But where does the poop go?!" as though lamenting my seafaring husband lost to the icy waters of the Arctic.
June 18, 2022
A very solid novel
I really like this novel. The characters were interesting, and it was good to see a fantasy M/M Romance novel set in a non-European setting with non white characters. The main character was a sweetheart And the love interest was your classic strong, dark and handsome. The whole book get me and gauge from the beginning to end.
One of the main criticism I have is that the author could have gone deeper with the world building. It was a good start but it's It was missing some nuance. It didn't engaged the senses. I never got a good feel for what things smelled like, or tasted like, or sounded like and I really wanted to. This was a new and potentially interesting world. I wanted to be more engaged by it then I was.
Another issue, which might be a positive or negative depending on what you're looking for, Is that this is a very low stakes story. You never really get the idea that the initial issue of infertility is something that's going to be a deal breaker. True, it is something that will need to be dealt with and it's not like romance novels don't assure a happily ever after anyway, but the story makes the issue seem especially non-threatening. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, I'm not opposed to reading a gentle love story every once in a while. But if you're looking for a high drama, and high stakes then this is not the book for you.
Overall it was a fun read. The sex scenes were good if a little repetitive. And the characters were charming and interesting to read about. I would recommend this for anybody who like sweet romances with a little bit of spice.
I really like this novel. The characters were interesting, and it was good to see a fantasy M/M Romance novel set in a non-European setting with non white characters. The main character was a sweetheart And the love interest was your classic strong, dark and handsome. The whole book get me and gauge from the beginning to end.
One of the main criticism I have is that the author could have gone deeper with the world building. It was a good start but it's It was missing some nuance. It didn't engaged the senses. I never got a good feel for what things smelled like, or tasted like, or sounded like and I really wanted to. This was a new and potentially interesting world. I wanted to be more engaged by it then I was.
Another issue, which might be a positive or negative depending on what you're looking for, Is that this is a very low stakes story. You never really get the idea that the initial issue of infertility is something that's going to be a deal breaker. True, it is something that will need to be dealt with and it's not like romance novels don't assure a happily ever after anyway, but the story makes the issue seem especially non-threatening. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, I'm not opposed to reading a gentle love story every once in a while. But if you're looking for a high drama, and high stakes then this is not the book for you.
Overall it was a fun read. The sex scenes were good if a little repetitive. And the characters were charming and interesting to read about. I would recommend this for anybody who like sweet romances with a little bit of spice.
October 26, 2025
Very slow. The book opens with the emperor finding out his intended bride has unexpectedly passed and he's being offered hey omega brother instead, but that's fine because he likes both genders. they instantly like each other, they're very gentle with each other, they have a minor misunderstanding that's easily resolved, they don't bond and the book itself is inconsistent with if that's a problem or not but at its most tense people keep telling them not to worry about it, it'll happen soon. it's like the book is terrified to let anything dramatic happen. the 'big drama' is that the omega is infertile which, yeah, that's an issue if you're an emperor but this is a society that openly practices polygamy so... it just never feels like the pressing issue it's meant to be. it's blatantly obvious from the first that if he doesn't get pregnant the emperor can just take another spouse and get children that way. the writing was good and the characters were sweet but nothing happened. also, at the end the omega does have a baby which I know magically not infertile at the end might be upsetting for some people on their own fertility journeys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2022
Very sweet, comfortable sweet low-conflict omegaverse fantasy novel. With a political marriage and some justified but low key angst.
A really hyped recent mainstream fantasy with a mm romance is being compared to The Goblin Emperor - this was a much better comparison to it, IMO! Add mm omegaverse, two nice people who are fundamentally nice and trying to navigate their positions and develop a relationship and an African flavoured setting (Eastern Africa? Madagascar? Ethiopia?) . Interesting and very very cozy.
As a warning, this will probably not be everybody's cup of tea, the low conflict (while nominally a big thing) is low and relatively fast dealt with when finally dealt with. The ending and connection to the epilogue feels also a bit rushed almost, as if that part rather than epilogue should have been instead another section.
A really hyped recent mainstream fantasy with a mm romance is being compared to The Goblin Emperor - this was a much better comparison to it, IMO! Add mm omegaverse, two nice people who are fundamentally nice and trying to navigate their positions and develop a relationship and an African flavoured setting (Eastern Africa? Madagascar? Ethiopia?) . Interesting and very very cozy.
As a warning, this will probably not be everybody's cup of tea, the low conflict (while nominally a big thing) is low and relatively fast dealt with when finally dealt with. The ending and connection to the epilogue feels also a bit rushed almost, as if that part rather than epilogue should have been instead another section.
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