A review by spookshow
Omega Lost by Evelyn Flood

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Ava is broken. Her freedom never existed and now not only has her life been stolen, so has her body. After being rescued from the clutches of her alpha father, and the Omega Compound, Ava is hidden away and kept safe by the Grey Pack. The members of the Grey pack also have pain that they're trying to heal, and the tiny Omega at the center of their world could be just the person to help them do that. Ava just has to believe. With help from some old friends, Ava and the Grey Pack take on the Omega Creed, fighting for a better life and a better world for all Omegas. But once the creed falls, who will be left standing? 

I was so excited to read this one after being lucky enough to receive an ARC of the first book - Omega Found. I absolutely adored book one, and I'll admit, when I first started this one, I wasn't sure that it was going to be able to stack up against the first, I soon changed my mind though! I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to love these new characters even half as much as Harper and her Pack, but Ava and the Grey Pack soon found their place in my heart and I love them just as much. 

This story is told through alternating points of view between Ava and the members of the Grey pack. When we first meet Ava, she's essentially chained to a bed, in an induced coma and pregnant. She is not the mission, but after Max stumbles upon her during a routine smash and grab for some medical supplies that the pack need, he can't leave her. I was instantly draw to Ava from the first moment we meet her through Max's eyes. Here is a woman, broken and shackled, forced to submit to the abhorrent laws of the Omega Creed. The reality of the situation that Ava was able survive made me anxious because I felt that there are women (and even men) who experience similar situations in the real world. Situations where they are not seen as people, but as things, as a means to an end. Where they have no say or control over anything, not even their own bodies. And that is terrifying. I felt Ava's terror, her will to die, because that would have to hurt less than the world she is allowed to exist in. My heart was in my throat and I was hoping against everything that she would not be left behind, I feared that she would not escape, even though we know she does, it says it in the blurb, and I think that this really gives testament to Flood's ability to write a nail biting scene that has you questioning "Could this good thing really happen?" even though you know that it does! This story continues that of the wider world that we first learn about in Omega Found, though I don't feel that you NEED to read book one to read this one, I do recommend it though because we do have cameos from the characters of Omega Found and I feel it's more impactful if you know about them and their story before this one. I loved that this instalment sees Omegas stepping out of the shadows, along with their packs in order to take on the Omega Creed and the inhumane nature of it. 

The characters, as said above, I didn't think they'd be able to even hold a candle to Harper and Co. It took me a few chapters to really become endeared to them, and that's not because there's anything wrong with them at all. It's simply because Flood can write such real characters, with pain and flaws and such big personalities that I loved Harper and her men so much, I didn't think anyone else would come close. I was proven wrong after a few chapters because I fell so in love with Ava and her pack, each character with their own pain, flaws and challenges. With their own pasts and fears, their personalities and plights so large and three dimensional, it felt like I was sitting in the room with them. Flood is an author who can write characters that you would love to be friends with, and I love that. It really makes the story that much more impactful when there's characters in it that you can really get behind. Especially an alpha male who is a giant cinnamon roll to the woman in his life and gives off major touch her and die vibes. 

My heart was in my throat on a few different occasions in this instalment and had me flipping pages so fast my eyes could barely keep up. I didn't want to put the book down because not only did I love the characters, I'm so invested in their world and the overarching story regarding the Omega Creed and those that abhor it. There's character growth and development that still leaves room for even more as the series continues, and the relationship dynamics, even though they could come across as insta-love, they don't and it just feels so organic and natural. There are some sensitive subjects dealt with in both this and book one, so I suggest definitely checking the trigger and content warnings for them. While they deal with some very heavy subject matter, it's always dealt with tactfully and not used for shock value. I also suggest reading the afterword, especially in this instalment, as Flood speaks about her own battles with some pretty horrific events that have happened in her life. I feel that Flood is so incredibly brave to essentially tell her story in this way and I applaud her for that bravery and for fighting and not giving up. 

All in all, I am living for this series and I cannot wait to read the next one and see what happens to the world. I hope we get to revisit or at least see where Harper, Ava and their packs are should the book not center around them. I'm so invested in the characters that I need to see some of their future after their stories as well. If you like an Omegaverse book that has real characters and a gripping story line, give this series a go!