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dramadork11's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pearlwilson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lydiaebhall's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amebco's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
gimli5's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Eh it got really repetitive after a while. Definitely could have cut at least 150 pages.
pomegranates's review against another edition
5.0
every orc sworn is a 5 star to me and this one is no exception. I am also particularly partial to the angst of kitty’s predicament as it gets resolved so nicely 😌
jailynnw_jamie's review
5.0
I actually finished this a week ago but wanted to think about what the story and the characters before I sat down and did my review. As you can see by the five stars I enjoyed it greatly. There were so many moments of heart and deep emotion throughout, making connecting to Kitty, Thrain, and Varinn so very easy to do. This review will have spoilers but I'll try my best to not spoil everything as I want you to have the same chance to enjoy all the twists and turns as I did.
First off is Kitty. This character, probably more than even the orcs, had to work. She is our eyes and our ears in this book, we live through her. If she was off even a little it would have changed how the story proceeded. I should have known, and really I did, that Mrs Fenn would handle her with grace and strength. Kitty isn't the typical female. She's older than the previous women- not in years, not really, but in worldliness. She isn't from a rich background, she was raised in a brothel and made into the perfect woman for a man to enjoy. She learned how to please in order to survive. This gave her a grounding and an accepting mind of the Orcs... more pleasurable practices without the shock.
When we first met her, I did worry that she would be bratty, but that worry was quickly swept away and I felt an immediate kinship with her. She's dumped and left with nothing and then- she meets the Orc who will alter her life forever in a bar drunk. This is very clearly an "one night stand-oops we have a problem" trope and it's marvelous!
Now let's talk about Thrain and Varinn. If you have read the previous books (especially Heiress and the Orc and Maid and the Orcs) you know these two. Varinn has always been one of my favorite characters and Thrain- well he is a hot mess. Their relationship is unsettled and at the start of this book (and really the end of the last) they are at a crossroads. Varinn can't handle Thrain's drinking and has broken things off- which led Thrain to the bar and to meet our heroine. This kicks off the story with a bang.
Thrain leaves Kitty the morning after and it's not long before Kitty finds out she's pregnant and she's being kicked out of her apartment. Things are dire (literally) for Kitty and that's when Varinn finds her in the forest delirious. Varinn is peeved to say the least- his love has impregnated a woman that has a sorted past and its up to him to save her life- in the most Orc way possible (again if you know, you know)
Varinn and Kitty don't have the best start, but even at the beginning, Varinn is all in. Which we only know because of how he is. We know him. He is honorable and he wants, no longs, for a family. The story moves at a quick pace and there isn't any parts that dragged on for me. I liked seeing each of these characters learn and grow and come together as friends and lovers. Kitty's presence really is the driving force for Thrain and Varinn to finally settle their pasts and come together in the way they have been wanting.
The meat of the story really is based around trust. Each fears and wants to trust the others. That trust is tested repeatedly. And each time, Kitty/Varinn/Thrain come back just a little stronger.
Now for the spoilers:
Thrain's addiction is so well done! His faith in himself is almost nonexistent and he struggles. I love that the author took the time to show Thrain working toward sobriety through having him talk to another Orc (Rathgarr) who has dealt with drinking heavily in the past. Going to see Eft to help ease some of the side effects. And quit a job that only added stress to his already distressed mind. He turned to Kitty and Varinn and did falter in his journey, but again that felt so true. When he finally came out on the other side (though it is said he still struggles with his addiction) its earned.
Varinn's journey is much more quiet. He is an Orc that needs control. He is definitely a type A personality and likes order in his life. But he also wants so much to be a good male. He loves Thrain but needs a son. Watching him go from cold and angry with Kitty to warm and giving and scared to lose her was an amazing thing to see. I love him. I have for so long and seeing him get his happily ever after made me so happy.
Kitty, as I said, is the glue. She's the driving force that pushes Varinn into giving Thrain a safe place for the first time. There were no walls because she forced them to punch through them. She's also insanely kind. And patient. She is ashamed of her past (as a lady of the night) and Varinn's own words at the beginning hurt her deeply. But she was also accepting. Of everything. I liked her seeing her find her place in the Grisk shop. I loved seeing her interact with all the Orc mountain residents. She fit in perfectly.
As for a villain- I don't know that I would say there was one. Yes we had Charles (the man that kicked Kitty out without money or security) and he does come back to cause issues, but he is dealt with quickly. There were the band of nasty orcs (with the exception of one that I really liked) that kidnapped and sold Kitty back to Charles, but ultimately, the real foe was much more human. Addiction (Thrain), self-doubt (Kitty) and pride (Varinn).
Now for the side characters: Loved them all. I became more invested in some than others (such as I need Killik and Ulfarr to get a story/mate so bad) and of course it's always a joy to have Kesst be his sassy self.
This story is so worth the time it takes to read it. It's beautifully done and draws you in. Have tissues ready!
First off is Kitty. This character, probably more than even the orcs, had to work. She is our eyes and our ears in this book, we live through her. If she was off even a little it would have changed how the story proceeded. I should have known, and really I did, that Mrs Fenn would handle her with grace and strength. Kitty isn't the typical female. She's older than the previous women- not in years, not really, but in worldliness. She isn't from a rich background, she was raised in a brothel and made into the perfect woman for a man to enjoy. She learned how to please in order to survive. This gave her a grounding and an accepting mind of the Orcs... more pleasurable practices without the shock.
When we first met her, I did worry that she would be bratty, but that worry was quickly swept away and I felt an immediate kinship with her. She's dumped and left with nothing and then- she meets the Orc who will alter her life forever in a bar drunk. This is very clearly an "one night stand-oops we have a problem" trope and it's marvelous!
Now let's talk about Thrain and Varinn. If you have read the previous books (especially Heiress and the Orc and Maid and the Orcs) you know these two. Varinn has always been one of my favorite characters and Thrain- well he is a hot mess. Their relationship is unsettled and at the start of this book (and really the end of the last) they are at a crossroads. Varinn can't handle Thrain's drinking and has broken things off- which led Thrain to the bar and to meet our heroine. This kicks off the story with a bang.
Thrain leaves Kitty the morning after and it's not long before Kitty finds out she's pregnant and she's being kicked out of her apartment. Things are dire (literally) for Kitty and that's when Varinn finds her in the forest delirious. Varinn is peeved to say the least- his love has impregnated a woman that has a sorted past and its up to him to save her life- in the most Orc way possible (again if you know, you know)
Varinn and Kitty don't have the best start, but even at the beginning, Varinn is all in. Which we only know because of how he is. We know him. He is honorable and he wants, no longs, for a family. The story moves at a quick pace and there isn't any parts that dragged on for me. I liked seeing each of these characters learn and grow and come together as friends and lovers. Kitty's presence really is the driving force for Thrain and Varinn to finally settle their pasts and come together in the way they have been wanting.
The meat of the story really is based around trust. Each fears and wants to trust the others. That trust is tested repeatedly. And each time, Kitty/Varinn/Thrain come back just a little stronger.
Now for the spoilers:
Thrain's addiction is so well done! His faith in himself is almost nonexistent and he struggles. I love that the author took the time to show Thrain working toward sobriety through having him talk to another Orc (Rathgarr) who has dealt with drinking heavily in the past. Going to see Eft to help ease some of the side effects. And quit a job that only added stress to his already distressed mind. He turned to Kitty and Varinn and did falter in his journey, but again that felt so true. When he finally came out on the other side (though it is said he still struggles with his addiction) its earned.
Varinn's journey is much more quiet. He is an Orc that needs control. He is definitely a type A personality and likes order in his life. But he also wants so much to be a good male. He loves Thrain but needs a son. Watching him go from cold and angry with Kitty to warm and giving and scared to lose her was an amazing thing to see. I love him. I have for so long and seeing him get his happily ever after made me so happy.
Kitty, as I said, is the glue. She's the driving force that pushes Varinn into giving Thrain a safe place for the first time. There were no walls because she forced them to punch through them. She's also insanely kind. And patient. She is ashamed of her past (as a lady of the night) and Varinn's own words at the beginning hurt her deeply. But she was also accepting. Of everything. I liked her seeing her find her place in the Grisk shop. I loved seeing her interact with all the Orc mountain residents. She fit in perfectly.
As for a villain- I don't know that I would say there was one. Yes we had Charles (the man that kicked Kitty out without money or security) and he does come back to cause issues, but he is dealt with quickly. There were the band of nasty orcs (with the exception of one that I really liked) that kidnapped and sold Kitty back to Charles, but ultimately, the real foe was much more human. Addiction (Thrain), self-doubt (Kitty) and pride (Varinn).
Now for the side characters: Loved them all. I became more invested in some than others (such as I need Killik and Ulfarr to get a story/mate so bad) and of course it's always a joy to have Kesst be his sassy self.
This story is so worth the time it takes to read it. It's beautifully done and draws you in. Have tissues ready!
jailynnw_jamie's review against another edition
5.0
I actually finished this a week ago but wanted to think about what the story and the characters before I sat down and did my review. As you can see by the five stars I enjoyed it greatly. There were so many moments of heart and deep emotion throughout, making connecting to Kitty, Thrain, and Varinn so very easy to do. This review will have spoilers but I'll try my best to not spoil everything as I want you to have the same chance to enjoy all the twists and turns as I did.
First off is Kitty. This character, probably more than even the orcs, had to work. She is our eyes and our ears in this book, we live through her. If she was off even a little it would have changed how the story proceeded. I should have known, and really I did, that Mrs Fenn would handle her with grace and strength. Kitty isn't the typical female. She's older than the previous women- not in years, not really, but in worldliness. She isn't from a rich background, she was raised in a brothel and made into the perfect woman for a man to enjoy. She learned how to please in order to survive. This gave her a grounding and an accepting mind of the Orcs... more pleasurable practices without the shock.
When we first met her, I did worry that she would be bratty, but that worry was quickly swept away and I felt an immediate kinship with her. She's dumped and left with nothing and then- she meets the Orc who will alter her life forever in a bar drunk. This is very clearly an "one night stand-oops we have a problem" trope and it's marvelous!
Now let's talk about Thrain and Varinn. If you have read the previous books (especially Heiress and the Orc and Maid and the Orcs) you know these two. Varinn has always been one of my favorite characters and Thrain- well he is a hot mess. Their relationship is unsettled and at the start of this book (and really the end of the last) they are at a crossroads. Varinn can't handle Thrain's drinking and has broken things off- which led Thrain to the bar and to meet our heroine. This kicks off the story with a bang.
Thrain leaves Kitty the morning after and it's not long before Kitty finds out she's pregnant and she's being kicked out of her apartment. Things are dire (literally) for Kitty and that's when Varinn finds her in the forest delirious. Varinn is peeved to say the least- his love has impregnated a woman that has a sorted past and its up to him to save her life- in the most Orc way possible (again if you know, you know)
Varinn and Kitty don't have the best start, but even at the beginning, Varinn is all in. Which we only know because of how he is. We know him. He is honorable and he wants, no longs, for a family. The story moves at a quick pace and there isn't any parts that dragged on for me. I liked seeing each of these characters learn and grow and come together as friends and lovers. Kitty's presence really is the driving force for Thrain and Varinn to finally settle their pasts and come together in the way they have been wanting.
The meat of the story really is based around trust. Each fears and wants to trust the others. That trust is tested repeatedly. And each time, Kitty/Varinn/Thrain come back just a little stronger.
Now for the spoilers:
Thrain's addiction is so well done! His faith in himself is almost nonexistent and he struggles. I love that the author took the time to show Thrain working toward sobriety through having him talk to another Orc (Rathgarr) who has dealt with drinking heavily in the past. Going to see Eft to help ease some of the side effects. And quit a job that only added stress to his already distressed mind. He turned to Kitty and Varinn and did falter in his journey, but again that felt so true. When he finally came out on the other side (though it is said he still struggles with his addiction) its earned.
Varinn's journey is much more quiet. He is an Orc that needs control. He is definitely a type A personality and likes order in his life. But he also wants so much to be a good male. He loves Thrain but needs a son. Watching him go from cold and angry with Kitty to warm and giving and scared to lose her was an amazing thing to see. I love him. I have for so long and seeing him get his happily ever after made me so happy.
Kitty, as I said, is the glue. She's the driving force that pushes Varinn into giving Thrain a safe place for the first time. There were no walls because she forced them to punch through them. She's also insanely kind. And patient. She is ashamed of her past (as a lady of the night) and Varinn's own words at the beginning hurt her deeply. But she was also accepting. Of everything. I liked her seeing her find her place in the Grisk shop. I loved seeing her interact with all the Orc mountain residents. She fit in perfectly.
As for a villain- I don't know that I would say there was one. Yes we had Charles (the man that kicked Kitty out without money or security) and he does come back to cause issues, but he is dealt with quickly. There were the band of nasty orcs (with the exception of one that I really liked) that kidnapped and sold Kitty back to Charles, but ultimately, the real foe was much more human. Addiction (Thrain), self-doubt (Kitty) and pride (Varinn).
Now for the side characters: Loved them all. I became more invested in some than others (such as I need Killik and Ulfarr to get a story/mate so bad) and of course it's always a joy to have Kesst be his sassy self.
This story is so worth the time it takes to read it. It's beautifully done and draws you in. Have tissues ready!
First off is Kitty. This character, probably more than even the orcs, had to work. She is our eyes and our ears in this book, we live through her. If she was off even a little it would have changed how the story proceeded. I should have known, and really I did, that Mrs Fenn would handle her with grace and strength. Kitty isn't the typical female. She's older than the previous women- not in years, not really, but in worldliness. She isn't from a rich background, she was raised in a brothel and made into the perfect woman for a man to enjoy. She learned how to please in order to survive. This gave her a grounding and an accepting mind of the Orcs... more pleasurable practices without the shock.
When we first met her, I did worry that she would be bratty, but that worry was quickly swept away and I felt an immediate kinship with her. She's dumped and left with nothing and then- she meets the Orc who will alter her life forever in a bar drunk. This is very clearly an "one night stand-oops we have a problem" trope and it's marvelous!
Now let's talk about Thrain and Varinn. If you have read the previous books (especially Heiress and the Orc and Maid and the Orcs) you know these two. Varinn has always been one of my favorite characters and Thrain- well he is a hot mess. Their relationship is unsettled and at the start of this book (and really the end of the last) they are at a crossroads. Varinn can't handle Thrain's drinking and has broken things off- which led Thrain to the bar and to meet our heroine. This kicks off the story with a bang.
Thrain leaves Kitty the morning after and it's not long before Kitty finds out she's pregnant and she's being kicked out of her apartment. Things are dire (literally) for Kitty and that's when Varinn finds her in the forest delirious. Varinn is peeved to say the least- his love has impregnated a woman that has a sorted past and its up to him to save her life- in the most Orc way possible (again if you know, you know)
Varinn and Kitty don't have the best start, but even at the beginning, Varinn is all in. Which we only know because of how he is. We know him. He is honorable and he wants, no longs, for a family. The story moves at a quick pace and there isn't any parts that dragged on for me. I liked seeing each of these characters learn and grow and come together as friends and lovers. Kitty's presence really is the driving force for Thrain and Varinn to finally settle their pasts and come together in the way they have been wanting.
The meat of the story really is based around trust. Each fears and wants to trust the others. That trust is tested repeatedly. And each time, Kitty/Varinn/Thrain come back just a little stronger.
Now for the spoilers:
Thrain's addiction is so well done! His faith in himself is almost nonexistent and he struggles. I love that the author took the time to show Thrain working toward sobriety through having him talk to another Orc (Rathgarr) who has dealt with drinking heavily in the past. Going to see Eft to help ease some of the side effects. And quit a job that only added stress to his already distressed mind. He turned to Kitty and Varinn and did falter in his journey, but again that felt so true. When he finally came out on the other side (though it is said he still struggles with his addiction) its earned.
Varinn's journey is much more quiet. He is an Orc that needs control. He is definitely a type A personality and likes order in his life. But he also wants so much to be a good male. He loves Thrain but needs a son. Watching him go from cold and angry with Kitty to warm and giving and scared to lose her was an amazing thing to see. I love him. I have for so long and seeing him get his happily ever after made me so happy.
Kitty, as I said, is the glue. She's the driving force that pushes Varinn into giving Thrain a safe place for the first time. There were no walls because she forced them to punch through them. She's also insanely kind. And patient. She is ashamed of her past (as a lady of the night) and Varinn's own words at the beginning hurt her deeply. But she was also accepting. Of everything. I liked her seeing her find her place in the Grisk shop. I loved seeing her interact with all the Orc mountain residents. She fit in perfectly.
As for a villain- I don't know that I would say there was one. Yes we had Charles (the man that kicked Kitty out without money or security) and he does come back to cause issues, but he is dealt with quickly. There were the band of nasty orcs (with the exception of one that I really liked) that kidnapped and sold Kitty back to Charles, but ultimately, the real foe was much more human. Addiction (Thrain), self-doubt (Kitty) and pride (Varinn).
Now for the side characters: Loved them all. I became more invested in some than others (such as I need Killik and Ulfarr to get a story/mate so bad) and of course it's always a joy to have Kesst be his sassy self.
This story is so worth the time it takes to read it. It's beautifully done and draws you in. Have tissues ready!
leighsnerdlife's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5