A review by overzealous_reader
Fleeing Fate by Sabrina Day

dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

“Birdie? Our little escape artist? She’s right here.” 
 
In the world of our protagonist, Ava lives in seclusion with her older brother Shay and their tyrant father. As they have lived in isolation for years, the death of Ava and Shay’s mother starts destabilizing the family dynamic as Ava and Shay begin to question their life. When Shay shifts into a wolf, Ava escapes her father’s clutches and runs with her brother. During that escape, the beta Sheriff Gabe approaches the siblings. After meeting with Gabe, Ava and Shay are directed to Malcolm. During their stay with Malcolm’s pack, Ava and Shay emerge into a world their father kept from them. 
 
The Omegaverse genre is difficult to digest as it tends to toe the line with elements from Dark Romance. However, within Fleeing Fate has darker elements regarding Ava’s father but not with the inner workings of Malcolm’s pack. The way Malcolm and his pack carefully treat Ava and Shay perhaps is due to Malcolm’s ability to shift, which is taboo based on the reactions of supporting characters. The introduction of Ava into the pack shakes up the dynamic, but no anger or malice is directed towards her. Instead, the pack has to address issues they have either pushed aside or disregarded. Specifically, Gabe is integrated into Malcolm’s pack along with Malcolm and his family. For the pack, the seclusive nature of Ava’s upbringing and her father’s mysterious connections result in the pack conducting a deep dive into her parents. It leads to more questions than answers, especially after Ava shifts. 
 
I look forward to the sequel and hope the world-building will expand into the shifters beyond the wall. I will have to reread this one before August.