The Beta's Bargain

Let's talk about Onyx - the precious stone, black as night, but so beautiful. I have no idea how Thea Ravin got the idea for the symbolic meaning behind the name of her female beta-character, but it fits better than a glove; it fits like magic. Onyx is associated with the night, symbolizing strength, perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges. It is believed to absorb negative energy and provide emotional and physical strength to its owner. Our beta-girl is just like the gemstone - a fierce protector, headstrong and passionate in her beliefs; a hardworking, observant, quiet personality. Her only problems - unfortunately more than one - are a father who did his best to plant poisonous seeds of her own self-worth, thus chipping away large chunks of her confidence and brightness, and a sister who is an evil incarnate - an odd combination of Cruella de Vil, Lady Tremaine / Cinderella's stepmother / and Gothel / Rapunzel's stepmother/. Yes, Silver - Onyx's sister - had an evil streak as wide as the River Styx in her tiny Omega body. After the death of their parents, which Onyx had been led to believe was her fault, she had been the sole breadwinner for the two of them. But even in those darkest of times, living in poverty and wallowing in misery, Onyx never lost her inner goodness and light. And not only that, she saved a homeless man on the street. Amazing! The girl who had never received kindness, care and warmth, found the strength to help someone else.
I was intrigued by the plot of this convoluted and sad Cinderella-like story and secretly hoping that the sun will rise on her street. Right? But No - it was probably too much to hope. The twists in the story were definitely good though.The homeless guy Onyx saved turned into a key figure in a complicated game of chess with stakes far beyond the usual risks. Even after the revelation of his true identity, Onyx chose to stay by him - to help him get his fairytale, face the past, build the burnt bridges of trust and have a future. Time and time again, I watched Onyx give pieces of her heart and her selfless love and wondered will there be anything left of her at the end!?!!Behind the glittering curtains of a life Onyx has never even dreamed about, she saw the real ugliness, the bitter truths, the sinister lies, the cruel bargains.
This story is a jarring reminder that our expectations and the following results not always align and sometimes the happily ever after is questionably happy. And that's exactly why I liked the book - it wasn't a perfect and glossy happy ending, there were so many bumps on the road to it. Was this pack actually a good fit for Onyx? Did they grovel enough? Did they finally accept her for her own value or...?So many questions in one short, intense and twisted reading adventure.