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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Let me preface with I love The Orc Sworn series. The authors capability to create so much emotion, trauma, and deep seeded need for acceptance in all of her characters is amazing. I have literally cried while reading each book on this series, and I never cry while reading. This far this is my favorite book of the series - I don’t know what it is about Joar and Gwynn’s relationship but I love them.
My favorite of the series so far!!! I loved their dynamic!
I honestly am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Like to the point of reviewing my previous ratings for other Orc Sworn books because clearly I've commited to this series and it is finally paying off. Which is good because this was the book in the series I really wanted to read.
I've been trying to work out why this book hit so differently for me when it's plot is broadly the same as all the others - woman in terrible relationship is taken to Orc Mountain, where she is not given enough information about what is happening, is shocked by the orc orgies and sexual liberties before becoming pregnant and risking everything for her orc. Often with a healthy sprinkling of baby endangerment. So this is what I have:
1) Gwyn, our FMC, had and maintained agency throughout the book. She maybe didn't always have all the information, but she was still afforded the ability to choose what happened to herself. Joarr was constantly checking in with her. She was never just a cum receptacle.
2) The initial deception was short lived, and Joarr spent the rest of the story trying to move past it in a way that would work for everyone. Yes there was a further deception that caused Gwyn to doubt everything, but honestly in the grand scheme of things it just didn't feel like such a big deal. Their relationship still had a lot more of a solid foundation.
3) The relationship dynamic between Gwyn and Joarr made me think of two early twentysomethings just getting to know one another. It felt fresh and real, and it was nice seeing the emphasis on the two of them bonding with shared interests and genuinely enjoying each others company. I found it very easy to believe that the two of them could fall in love.
4) Further to point 3, the sex was a LOT tamer. I don't think this would normally be a game changer for me, but it just worked? And only 26 seed mentions!
On a separate note, I really appreciated the discussion of how pregnancy can change intimate parter relationships. Often these sort of books fail to acknowledge the strain pregnancy places on relationships. Stella and Silfast's subplot felt like an important reminder that being in love isn't always enough for a healthy relationship.
I love the world building in these books. I think Finley Fenn is a really good writer. I'm so happy that I stuck with this series because I really enjoyed this one!
I've been trying to work out why this book hit so differently for me when it's plot is broadly the same as all the others - woman in terrible relationship is taken to Orc Mountain, where she is not given enough information about what is happening, is shocked by the orc orgies and sexual liberties before becoming pregnant and risking everything for her orc. Often with a healthy sprinkling of baby endangerment. So this is what I have:
1) Gwyn, our FMC, had and maintained agency throughout the book. She maybe didn't always have all the information, but she was still afforded the ability to choose what happened to herself. Joarr was constantly checking in with her. She was never just a cum receptacle.
2) The initial deception was short lived, and Joarr spent the rest of the story trying to move past it in a way that would work for everyone. Yes there was a further deception that caused Gwyn to doubt everything, but honestly in the grand scheme of things it just didn't feel like such a big deal. Their relationship still had a lot more of a solid foundation.
3) The relationship dynamic between Gwyn and Joarr made me think of two early twentysomethings just getting to know one another. It felt fresh and real, and it was nice seeing the emphasis on the two of them bonding with shared interests and genuinely enjoying each others company. I found it very easy to believe that the two of them could fall in love.
4) Further to point 3, the sex was a LOT tamer. I don't think this would normally be a game changer for me, but it just worked? And only 26 seed mentions!
On a separate note, I really appreciated the discussion of how pregnancy can change intimate parter relationships. Often these sort of books fail to acknowledge the strain pregnancy places on relationships. Stella and Silfast's subplot felt like an important reminder that being in love isn't always enough for a healthy relationship.
I love the world building in these books. I think Finley Fenn is a really good writer. I'm so happy that I stuck with this series because I really enjoyed this one!
I'm conflicted. There are aspects of this I really loved. Also, I did jump straight to book 5 - though I don't think my enjoyment of it suffered because of that. I actually liked being introduced to the world by this particular book. But there were some aspects that were repetitive and annoying. I didn't like the back and forth dance of the two mains - is he lying? Is he being honest? Oh he's being honest now...no wait, more lies. This narrative played out several times and the book would be well served by cutting a good third out of it. And, like, not to be a buzzkill, but all the sex was the same, pretty much, and... A girl likes variety, ya know?
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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