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laylareadsthings's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
4.25
I can best describe this book as the warmest of cozy fantasy romances. If you want to read something that is basically the book form a giant hug right when you need it, this is it.
Looking for something that is pure vibes and emotion? Please read this. That’s not to say there isn’t plot or adventure here, but it’s mostly a story of two people learning how to heal and find themselves, and within that, each other. Even the tragedies are journeyed through in a way to bring hope and solace.
Orek is a character who could easily come off one note, but is handled with wonderful nuance by the author’s descriptions and keen understanding of how to display his tragedies and the shortcomings they’ve created for him as an adult. Sorcha is the epitome of an eldest daughter without being turned into a caricature or her family villainized. She is me and I am her.
And I really loved their love story. It’s almost painfully slow, but to have it any other way would be a disservice to their characters. And when it finally happens, it’s explosive and the spice does not taper off.
I can see how others might find parts of this story repetitive or over-written with the level of description. But anytime I found myself skimming, I always went back to gather the details. Very cleverly, the book doesn’t end once the romance is earned, and it’s a refreshing reminder that “I love you” isn’t the end all be all. There are lives to live and difficulties still to be overcome. I particularly enjoyed the back half of this book and spending time with a wider cast of characters - which it seems will be explored as the series continues with interconnected standalones.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, straight to the point romantic romp (I love those too!) this may not fill the gap, but if you want to fall deeply in love with a new world and some flawed beings with absolute hearts of gold - pour a cup of tea and curl up in a blanket and crack this book open. I promise you won’t regret it!
Looking for something that is pure vibes and emotion? Please read this. That’s not to say there isn’t plot or adventure here, but it’s mostly a story of two people learning how to heal and find themselves, and within that, each other. Even the tragedies are journeyed through in a way to bring hope and solace.
Orek is a character who could easily come off one note, but is handled with wonderful nuance by the author’s descriptions and keen understanding of how to display his tragedies and the shortcomings they’ve created for him as an adult. Sorcha is the epitome of an eldest daughter without being turned into a caricature or her family villainized. She is me and I am her.
And I really loved their love story. It’s almost painfully slow, but to have it any other way would be a disservice to their characters. And when it finally happens, it’s explosive and the spice does not taper off.
I can see how others might find parts of this story repetitive or over-written with the level of description. But anytime I found myself skimming, I always went back to gather the details. Very cleverly, the book doesn’t end once the romance is earned, and it’s a refreshing reminder that “I love you” isn’t the end all be all. There are lives to live and difficulties still to be overcome. I particularly enjoyed the back half of this book and spending time with a wider cast of characters - which it seems will be explored as the series continues with interconnected standalones.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, straight to the point romantic romp (I love those too!) this may not fill the gap, but if you want to fall deeply in love with a new world and some flawed beings with absolute hearts of gold - pour a cup of tea and curl up in a blanket and crack this book open. I promise you won’t regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
devilbunny6's review
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
2.25
This could have been so good. The first half really set up the story nicely. Both MCs were lovely, and the world building, while a little weak and at times contradictory, was decent enough that I could overlook some issues.
Then they got together and the rest of the book devolved into porn with little plot development. You could have shaved about 100 pages and four overlong sex scenes off this book and it would have bumped it into mid 3 star territory. The sex scenes were way too long and frankly exhausting. Let a girl sleep!
It’s a shame really, this could have been a decent lead book into a great romantasy series.
Then they got together and the rest of the book devolved into porn with little plot development. You could have shaved about 100 pages and four overlong sex scenes off this book and it would have bumped it into mid 3 star territory. The sex scenes were way too long and frankly exhausting. Let a girl sleep!
It’s a shame really, this could have been a decent lead book into a great romantasy series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Kidnapping, Slavery, and Rape
bekacrook's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
An enjoyable story with interesting characters, just a touch too long for me. There were times where it was just too long between bits of action, however overall I enjoyed it and found the characters interesting.
Orek, bless his heart, was so very sweet and a little naive which was unusual considering his upbringing and backstory. It was good to see what humanised him (besides being half human, half orc) by including his early life and particularly the experience of his mother, while still showing his orc side come out with the mating bond. I also liked how strong Sorcha was, she was smart and brave whilst also burdening herself within her family because she needed to feel necessary and helpful. These two characters together were great, I liked how their relationship developed from distrustful to potentially friendly to absolutely besotted with one another and the pace of the relationship was good. It built up to this in a good way and it was filled with really sweet moments.
The book started off quickly quite action-packed and then lulled us into a bit of a false sense of security, then the next piece of action happened and then nothing for ages. It got very domestic for a long while and then a quick bit of action near the end of the story. I wish there had been a bit more consistent action, and peril considering their were escaping a clan of orcs and potential slave traders as well. But the wholesome moments were lovely, I just felt the balance was a bit off for me personally.
Overall a good and solid monster romance.
Orek, bless his heart, was so very sweet and a little naive which was unusual considering his upbringing and backstory. It was good to see what humanised him (besides being half human, half orc) by including his early life and particularly the experience of his mother, while still showing his orc side come out with the mating bond. I also liked how strong Sorcha was, she was smart and brave whilst also burdening herself within her family because she needed to feel necessary and helpful. These two characters together were great, I liked how their relationship developed from distrustful to potentially friendly to absolutely besotted with one another and the pace of the relationship was good. It built up to this in a good way and it was filled with really sweet moments.
The book started off quickly quite action-packed and then lulled us into a bit of a false sense of security, then the next piece of action happened and then nothing for ages. It got very domestic for a long while and then a quick bit of action near the end of the story. I wish there had been a bit more consistent action, and peril considering their were escaping a clan of orcs and potential slave traders as well. But the wholesome moments were lovely, I just felt the balance was a bit off for me personally.
Overall a good and solid monster romance.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment and Slavery
doahdancer's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Bullying
emsappho's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
This book is essentially what I wanted out of the sub-genre of "cozy fantasy," and I don't even know if most readers would categorize it under that sub-genre. It is a low-stakes, monster romance fantasy in the vein of IPB. The plot checks off all the trope bullet points; the one bed at the inn, stumbling upon a gorgeous hot-springs when seeking cover from a storm, cuddling for warmth, "touch her/him and die" vibes, adorable animal side-kick that the two essentially parent, tending to injuries, the hero/heroine being noble and essentially "self-sacrificing" and then their partner goes after them cause of course! I There is one main goal that over-arcs the book's plot: return Sorcha to her parent's land. This acts as the perfect set-up to a fantasy road-trip, and offers ample opportunities for bonding and side-quests along the way. There is always the underlying threat of the bad orcs coming after them, or humans chasing them out of the towns they come across. But it is low-stakes, we know that Sorcha and Orek will be fine, and it makes the story for an easy, enjoyable read. There's enough conflict sprinkled throughout the progress the plot, but the clear focus of the story is the relationship between Sorcha and her half-orc rescuer/companion, Orek.
The writing style was immensely easy to read and very enjoyable. The actions scenes were just as well-written as the sex scenes (and those were written very well). And the world-building didn't feel exposition-y, which a lot of books that are heavy on romance can fall pit-fall too (as a means of quickly establishing the world so that the sex can happen). It actually felt very natural and made the book felt thought-out.
Sorcha and Orek's chemistry was offfffff the chain. And individually, I really liked them as characters. Sorcha was flawed, Orek was flawed; and they both felt like whole people and not just two halves of the "couple."
The writing style was immensely easy to read and very enjoyable. The actions scenes were just as well-written as the sex scenes (and those were written very well). And the world-building didn't feel exposition-y, which a lot of books that are heavy on romance can fall pit-fall too (as a means of quickly establishing the world so that the sex can happen). It actually felt very natural and made the book felt thought-out.
Sorcha and Orek's chemistry was offfffff the chain. And individually, I really liked them as characters. Sorcha was flawed, Orek was flawed; and they both felt like whole people and not just two halves of the "couple."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment and Violence
malisac16's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
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