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meat_muffin's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
I want to be obsessed with this one, I really do, but once the MMC fucking sold her - even if he had a fucking plan!! To get her back!! - my good opinion plummeted and there was just no redemption in my eyes 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Confinement, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation, Blood, Violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, War, Infertility, Sexism, and Abortion
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, and Self harm
dwarrowdams's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really compelling emotional romance. Not a light read, but worth it, and super hot too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism
greystory's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This was very mid. I listened to the audiobook but I don't think that would have made a difference other than I probably would have started skimming past the sex scenes in the book. They felt repetitive and there were multiple that didn't seem to add anything to the plot or characters, nor was it hot enough for me to enjoy it on its own.
Lady Norr was pretty annoying in her constant flakiness. I was super over the way she was agreeing to everything when she was horny on main and then flipping out about having agreed to anything when she wasn't having orc sex. Rinse, repeat like 15 times. I guess especially as someone on the ace spectrum, I can't ever imagine being so desperately horny that I supposedly give in to whatever someone asks of me that I wouldn't if I wasn't horny.
Grimarr is... okay. Although they both do get a little bit of character growth (Lady Norr's mostly realizing how she's been a pawn this whole time, although she was sort of already aware of that), it felt like Grimarr had more growth. He has to learn how to treat a human mate and seems to make efforts to do so, however those efforts are super bare minimum like, not chaining her and allowing her to change clothes and leave their room. Wow. Super generous. There's also a betrayal part and some grovelling on Grimarr's part but not enough grovelling in my opinion.
The best part of the book was honestly meeting the other orcs and the little bit of worldbuilding about the different clans and stuff. That was such a short bit of the book, though.
I'm still interested in checking out more of the series. This is the first book in a series which almost always feels like they're average and then books get better over the course of a series. The general ratings seems to indicate that could be the case here, as well.
Lady Norr was pretty annoying in her constant flakiness. I was super over the way she was agreeing to everything when she was horny on main and then flipping out about having agreed to anything when she wasn't having orc sex. Rinse, repeat like 15 times. I guess especially as someone on the ace spectrum, I can't ever imagine being so desperately horny that I supposedly give in to whatever someone asks of me that I wouldn't if I wasn't horny.
Grimarr is... okay. Although they both do get a little bit of character growth (Lady Norr's mostly realizing how she's been a pawn this whole time, although she was sort of already aware of that), it felt like Grimarr had more growth. He has to learn how to treat a human mate and seems to make efforts to do so, however those efforts are super bare minimum like, not chaining her and allowing her to change clothes and leave their room. Wow. Super generous. There's also a betrayal part and some grovelling on Grimarr's part but not enough grovelling in my opinion.
The best part of the book was honestly meeting the other orcs and the little bit of worldbuilding about the different clans and stuff. That was such a short bit of the book, though.
I'm still interested in checking out more of the series. This is the first book in a series which almost always feels like they're average and then books get better over the course of a series. The general ratings seems to indicate that could be the case here, as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Violence, and Pregnancy
christyjoreads's review
5.0
One, that was the spiciest book I've ever read.
Two, the political machinations were insane and heartbreaking. Oh that betrayal was a kick in the heart, but I totally understand what was going on......oh boy!
I am not a fan of enemies to lovers, but this was more two people from two totally different cultures trying to figure it out.
Grimarr had been betrayed before so he didn't count on any support from Jule. Jule had been used by all her family members. Trust was almost impossible. This was SO FRICKIN GOOD.
Thank god for the HEA or I think I would have curled up in a ball and died from heartbreak!
This is the best book I have read in a long time!!!!
Finley Finn - you made me feel the feels with this one! I applaud you! Wow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder
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