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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC!
This book is out now!
I immediately was interested in this book because of the gorgeous cover but as I am usually hesitant with most fantasy/romantasy book, I was scared this would be too high level for my wittle brain to comprehend. But a romantasy bestie ensured that if I liked Shrek, that I would be able to handle this. And I am happy to report that I could handle it!! There was some parts where it was a little technical with the world but not enough to have me super confused.
This book does has a decent amount of romance/intimate moments but at its core I feel like this has more adventure and action than anything. I don’t normally seek out monster type romances (not against it just never explore) and I didn’t think that Oskar being an Orc wasn’t so hard to imagine. He felt pretty human like so if that worries you – have no fear.
Oskar and Guinevere met by chance and they juts were both just so smitten by one another. But Guinevere was already planned to be married as an arrangement by her parents so Oskar knew that this thing between them would not be long term. And yet Guinevere knew she loved Oskar and Oskar was there to rescue her. Without giving anything away, Guinevere’s parents really made me mad!!!
“But they aren’t going to succeed. I won’t let them. And I won’t let you go anywhere without me, either. For as long as there is breath in my body, you will not face this world alone, Guinevere. Do you understand?”
I read this one in tandem between the audio as well as the physical book (thank you library). Teddy Hamilton and Brittany Pressley were the stars of the book. They are two of my favorite audiobook narrators so I knew that this book would be in good hands. This is told in a duet narration which is very exciting. Teddy was so good as broody Oskar as he has that grit in his voice that just came across so well for his character. Brittany has that young, youthful tone but yet also made Guinevere come across so brave and just a kick ass woman.
I am not familiar with Critical Role and just assumed it was another form Dungeons and Dragons. Even after looking it up, I am still not quite sure exactly what the relationship between the book and CR is but either way if you do not know what it is. It will not matter while reading it.
Overall I really enjoyed it! I wish I hadn’t taken such long breaks between reading. It has nothing to do with the book just but my schedule and finding time to be able to read and listen. I am not sure if this will be part of a series but if it is, I would consider reading more!
If you are looking for a cozy fantasy that has a bit of romance with adventure – give this one a read!
This book is out now!
I immediately was interested in this book because of the gorgeous cover but as I am usually hesitant with most fantasy/romantasy book, I was scared this would be too high level for my wittle brain to comprehend. But a romantasy bestie ensured that if I liked Shrek, that I would be able to handle this. And I am happy to report that I could handle it!! There was some parts where it was a little technical with the world but not enough to have me super confused.
This book does has a decent amount of romance/intimate moments but at its core I feel like this has more adventure and action than anything. I don’t normally seek out monster type romances (not against it just never explore) and I didn’t think that Oskar being an Orc wasn’t so hard to imagine. He felt pretty human like so if that worries you – have no fear.
Oskar and Guinevere met by chance and they juts were both just so smitten by one another. But Guinevere was already planned to be married as an arrangement by her parents so Oskar knew that this thing between them would not be long term. And yet Guinevere knew she loved Oskar and Oskar was there to rescue her. Without giving anything away, Guinevere’s parents really made me mad!!!
“But they aren’t going to succeed. I won’t let them. And I won’t let you go anywhere without me, either. For as long as there is breath in my body, you will not face this world alone, Guinevere. Do you understand?”
I read this one in tandem between the audio as well as the physical book (thank you library). Teddy Hamilton and Brittany Pressley were the stars of the book. They are two of my favorite audiobook narrators so I knew that this book would be in good hands. This is told in a duet narration which is very exciting. Teddy was so good as broody Oskar as he has that grit in his voice that just came across so well for his character. Brittany has that young, youthful tone but yet also made Guinevere come across so brave and just a kick ass woman.
I am not familiar with Critical Role and just assumed it was another form Dungeons and Dragons. Even after looking it up, I am still not quite sure exactly what the relationship between the book and CR is but either way if you do not know what it is. It will not matter while reading it.
Overall I really enjoyed it! I wish I hadn’t taken such long breaks between reading. It has nothing to do with the book just but my schedule and finding time to be able to read and listen. I am not sure if this will be part of a series but if it is, I would consider reading more!
If you are looking for a cozy fantasy that has a bit of romance with adventure – give this one a read!
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a lot of fun, if you are a fan of Critical Role then this is a must read. I laughed out loud when I saw that this exists. It is so perfect.
From a reader of lovely books, this was okay. The chapters are quite short and reads like you are following a DnD campaign, but it is fun and easy to read. From some of the writing I think this author could write beautifully, but this story does have constraints because it has to make the Critters (followers of Critical Role) happy first.
Also I love the reversible cover.
From a reader of lovely books, this was okay. The chapters are quite short and reads like you are following a DnD campaign, but it is fun and easy to read. From some of the writing I think this author could write beautifully, but this story does have constraints because it has to make the Critters (followers of Critical Role) happy first.
Also I love the reversible cover.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
This was a short book, but honestly - it felt really long. Oskar and Gwen were a cutesy opposites attract couple, where the adorably oblivious, naive rich girl melts the stone heart of the gruff, poor yet noble, half orc.
A couple things annoyed me, like how Gwen initially says she realizes she hates WINE - and then suddenly it's champagne (which we are aware should not exist in a fantasy world - it should just be sparking wine if anything); the mention of her having underwear (instead of under garments), the fact that they are busy getting BUSY on the road with no mention or THOUGHTS about birth control - which would be a significant problem if she actually were to follow through with marrying her waiting betrothed...the one who is most definitely NOT a large green half orc.
I wish the relationship between Gwen and her fire spirit would have been explored more - because that could have been really fun to see them slowly start to work together, and for Gwen to no longer be afraid of her - instead of it being so sudden at the end.
I found the way Oskar and Gwen spoke together to be rude and awkward for the most part - and Gwen annoyed me with her sudden bursts of idiocy that somehow always worked out for her - with no explanation as to why complete strangers were smitten with her.
It does seem kind of like I hate this, but it was really just okay. A Low 3 - because there were some great moments while they were travelling - and I did like the utter awfulness of her parents.
A couple things annoyed me, like how Gwen initially says she realizes she hates WINE - and then suddenly it's champagne (which we are aware should not exist in a fantasy world - it should just be sparking wine if anything); the mention of her having underwear (instead of under garments), the fact that they are busy getting BUSY on the road with no mention or THOUGHTS about birth control - which would be a significant problem if she actually were to follow through with marrying her waiting betrothed...the one who is most definitely NOT a large green half orc.
I wish the relationship between Gwen and her fire spirit would have been explored more - because that could have been really fun to see them slowly start to work together, and for Gwen to no longer be afraid of her - instead of it being so sudden at the end.
I found the way Oskar and Gwen spoke together to be rude and awkward for the most part - and Gwen annoyed me with her sudden bursts of idiocy that somehow always worked out for her - with no explanation as to why complete strangers were smitten with her.
It does seem kind of like I hate this, but it was really just okay. A Low 3 - because there were some great moments while they were travelling - and I did like the utter awfulness of her parents.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this was so sweet! cozy read with a bisexual girlie getting her brooding hunky guy with a heart of gold <3
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
I've been a Critter since 2018. I was watching live when Matt's amazing improvisation in a made-up bookshop created Tusk Love. Now, seven years later, it's an actual book that you can read and purchase.
For those of you who aren't Critters and have no idea what I'm talking about, this book is still for you. It's very approachable and not tied to Critical Role at all, except that this story exists in the same world.
I went into this book with 0 expectations or preconceptions. I didn't read reviews (or even the synopsis) before starting it. And I think that was the best choice.
I've been rather burnt out by romantasy lately and haven't been able to find anything to bring me out of this reading slump. Tusk Love did it. It was equal parts fun, sweet, and rich with detail. The characters and worldbuilding were great (though sometimes they felt like parts taken from an encyclopedia and pasted into the story), I was still glad they appeared. There were of course, the tropes () but I found myself smiling rather than rolling my eyes, perhaps because they were done in a slightly meta way. It felt like the author was saying "heh, watch this," rather than taking it too seriously and treating readers like idiots who've never read before.
The only issues that I had with this book were plot-based. There were several moments when I felt like the story was going in one direction, and the tension builds, and then it just ... dissipates. Maybe because this book is more of a "cozy" romantasy than I thought it was, and the stakes were never supposed to be high. If not, it felt like wasted opportunities. Apart from that, and a few moments of cheese, it was cute and worth the read. I might even reread it sometime, which, for me, is glowing praise.
For those of you who aren't Critters and have no idea what I'm talking about, this book is still for you. It's very approachable and not tied to Critical Role at all, except that this story exists in the same world.
I went into this book with 0 expectations or preconceptions. I didn't read reviews (or even the synopsis) before starting it. And I think that was the best choice.
I've been rather burnt out by romantasy lately and haven't been able to find anything to bring me out of this reading slump. Tusk Love did it. It was equal parts fun, sweet, and rich with detail. The characters and worldbuilding were great (though sometimes they felt like parts taken from an encyclopedia and pasted into the story), I was still glad they appeared. There were of course, the tropes (
Spoiler
Grumpy/sunshine, only 1 bed, etcThe only issues that I had with this book were plot-based. There were several moments when I felt like the story was going in one direction, and the tension builds, and then it just ... dissipates. Maybe because this book is more of a "cozy" romantasy than I thought it was, and the stakes were never supposed to be high. If not, it felt like wasted opportunities. Apart from that, and a few moments of cheese, it was cute and worth the read. I might even reread it sometime, which, for me, is glowing praise.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes