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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Now, this one is a little lighter. Gwyn figures out Joarr's manipulation early on and there is a really great side story about her self-harm.
At the end, I was confused by the competitve fucking between the two men and their mates, but with Orc culture, I've just let it be what it is....exhibitionism is the norm, so it shouldn't have surprised me.
Another 5 star read! I have ordered the next two books in the series and pre-ordered Beauty and the Orc. Honestly, these have been some of the best books I have read in a long time - hits every dirty little fantasy. Love you Finley Fenn! You. Are. Amazing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Pregnancy
challenging
hopeful
relaxing
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:
No
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
OK, I know I said the last one was my favorite, but this is my new favorite. The last book still has the best line in the entire series, “Why you no jig?” (Iykyk). But this one by far has the best storyline, the best characters, I seriously enjoy this one so much and I am so sad that there’s only one more book left. I am so scared and so not looking forward to leaving this world, because I’ve come to love so many of these orcs. This is such a good series and I am enjoying myself so much.
probably my favorite book in the series!
Oh gosh I just LOVE the dynamic between Gwyn and Joarr. This has been my most favorite book in the series so far, Joarr is my favorite type of MC: an absolute menace! He’s snarky and funny and even with his half truths to Gwyn, he’s still a great leading man. Gwyn is strong and cunning and sees right through him, standing in her own two feet.
Absolutely stunning job Finley!
Oh gosh I just LOVE the dynamic between Gwyn and Joarr. This has been my most favorite book in the series so far, Joarr is my favorite type of MC: an absolute menace! He’s snarky and funny and even with his half truths to Gwyn, he’s still a great leading man. Gwyn is strong and cunning and sees right through him, standing in her own two feet.
Absolutely stunning job Finley!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't like this as much as the first book. Surprised the Heaving Bosoms podcast chose this one to read from the series.
Likes
-The midwife concept for Orc Mountain, like the IPB series all these pregnant girls definitely need one
-How she has and continues her career as a midwife even after getting with Joarr
-Gwynn helps Joarr become accepted by his new clan (his backstory is fairly complex, his grandfather was Seer of the Bautal(sp) clan but he made some mistake and was outcast, he pretended and became part of the Skai clan. His son, and his grandson Joarr all thought they were Skai until some Ka-esh researcher orc revealed his ancestry and he was publicly outed. Now as a Seer of Bautal clan, the current leader Stilfast feels threatened and has had made him extremely unwelcome. Joarr has been pretty miserable since and he takes some of this out on Gwynn. Joarr made a pledge as part of the Bautal coming-of-age requirement that he would seduce Gwynn, get her pregnant, and she would be forced to testify and humiliate her father as part of the new law he's pushing that will endanger all women who become involved with orcs. That's like the central plot of the book.)
-Also liked the ending. Stilfast and his pregnant wife Stella have martial problems this entire book and it comes to a head when she drugs him with henbane and runs away to hide at Gwynn's house. Gwynn realizes she'll need to go there and sacrifice herself, to knowingly go through Joarr's original plan even though it will humiliate her, but it will protect all the women she's come to befriend. But Stilfast shows up, he and Stella make up and we learn their whole problem was the orc healer told them they couldn't have rough sex which was straining their relationship. Gwynn quickly corrects that assumption. While they're making up in the bedroom, Gwynn's betrothed Roy shows up and plans to drag her away to marry him. Gwynn shoots him with a crossbow but doesn't kill him. Then her FATHER shows up and Gwynn is like "I found the best man ever I want to marry" and then reveals its an orc, Joarr. He tries to shoot Joarr with the crossbow but Joarr dodges. And then he accepts Joarr after Joarr cooks him a great meal and agrees after some bargaining to sleep him with hallucinogenic mushrooms!? wtf!?!? They both laugh after at least
Like & Dislike!?
-Ugh the "is it raining?" cum shower on the guards below after they have sex in a tree and then THEY KEEP REFERENCING IT and laughing about it throughout the entire book. And in the last scene Joarr fucking pulls out to unleash Gwynn's load onto Stilfast who was right next to him in this double fuck competition scene on the goddess' alter. Jfc what did I read!?
Dislikes
-Gwynn cuts herself and finds release from self-harm
-She constantly belittles herself, calling herself stupid, even though it seems like only Roy does this to her so idk why it would get to her so much
-She just expects Joarr to instantly reveal all his secrets right away?? Like out of the blue? I thought Joarr waiting to reveal everything about himself was pretty normal considering their a different species and her dad is a powerful lord. But Gwynn takes it personally and every secret withheld is an act of betrayal in her eyes. I also just didn't like her constantly questioning their relationship at the drop of a hat.
Likes
-The midwife concept for Orc Mountain, like the IPB series all these pregnant girls definitely need one
-How she has and continues her career as a midwife even after getting with Joarr
-Gwynn helps Joarr become accepted by his new clan (his backstory is fairly complex, his grandfather was Seer of the Bautal(sp) clan but he made some mistake and was outcast, he pretended and became part of the Skai clan. His son, and his grandson Joarr all thought they were Skai until some Ka-esh researcher orc revealed his ancestry and he was publicly outed. Now as a Seer of Bautal clan, the current leader Stilfast feels threatened and has had made him extremely unwelcome. Joarr has been pretty miserable since and he takes some of this out on Gwynn. Joarr made a pledge as part of the Bautal coming-of-age requirement that he would seduce Gwynn, get her pregnant, and she would be forced to testify and humiliate her father as part of the new law he's pushing that will endanger all women who become involved with orcs. That's like the central plot of the book.)
-Also liked the ending. Stilfast and his pregnant wife Stella have martial problems this entire book and it comes to a head when she drugs him with henbane and runs away to hide at Gwynn's house. Gwynn realizes she'll need to go there and sacrifice herself, to knowingly go through Joarr's original plan even though it will humiliate her, but it will protect all the women she's come to befriend. But Stilfast shows up, he and Stella make up and we learn their whole problem was the orc healer told them they couldn't have rough sex which was straining their relationship. Gwynn quickly corrects that assumption. While they're making up in the bedroom, Gwynn's betrothed Roy shows up and plans to drag her away to marry him. Gwynn shoots him with a crossbow but doesn't kill him. Then her FATHER shows up and Gwynn is like "I found the best man ever I want to marry" and then reveals its an orc, Joarr. He tries to shoot Joarr with the crossbow but Joarr dodges. And then he accepts Joarr after Joarr cooks him a great meal and agrees after some bargaining to sleep him with hallucinogenic mushrooms!? wtf!?!? They both laugh after at least
Like & Dislike!?
-Ugh the "is it raining?" cum shower on the guards below after they have sex in a tree and then THEY KEEP REFERENCING IT and laughing about it throughout the entire book. And in the last scene Joarr fucking pulls out to unleash Gwynn's load onto Stilfast who was right next to him in this double fuck competition scene on the goddess' alter. Jfc what did I read!?
Dislikes
-Gwynn cuts herself and finds release from self-harm
-She constantly belittles herself, calling herself stupid, even though it seems like only Roy does this to her so idk why it would get to her so much
-She just expects Joarr to instantly reveal all his secrets right away?? Like out of the blue? I thought Joarr waiting to reveal everything about himself was pretty normal considering their a different species and her dad is a powerful lord. But Gwynn takes it personally and every secret withheld is an act of betrayal in her eyes. I also just didn't like her constantly questioning their relationship at the drop of a hat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content
Trigger Warning: Self-harm.
Review is based on advance reader's copy.
I have been a fan of the Orc Sworn series for a while now, and each new installment always manages to be my new favorite. Finley Fenn always manages to keep things refreshing with her carefully fleshed-out protagonists and their unique dynamics, while simultaneously keeping things comfortable with familiar themes of family and loneliness, and a formulaic plot.
I really enjoy how Fenn’s talents improve with each book. As The Midwife and the Orc is the sixth installment of this series, there was a lot to appreciate.
Gwyn is much more than just a woman who feels excluded in human society and mistreated by the men in her life. She has a palpable love for plants and compassion for the public health of women that feels very sincere. In addition, the narration navigates her anxiety disorder and self-harm without ever saying it forthrightly, which made it feel so much more raw and real. Be mindful of reading if these are triggers for you! What I loved the most about Gwyn was how sharp and intelligent she was. She easily sniffed out each plan the orcs devised and thwarted them. I lived for every second of it, and I know Joarr did, too, haha.
I absolutely loved Joarr. He is funny and playful. I think the last orc that was this lively was Natt in The Heiress and the Orc. It’s really refreshing from the last few orcs who have been more no-nonsense, so to speak (although they had their unique charms to them too). I loved the chemistry between Joarr and Gwyn. They shared a common passion, truly understood each other, and assisted each other in overcoming their personal struggles. It didn’t feel contrived or owed to biological/political impulses at all - it felt real, and I loved that.
And as usual, the steamy parts were, well, steamy as usual. Gwyn and Joarr’s emotional chemistry really amplified their physical intimacy.
Usually, I get tired of these formulaic steamy-romances by the fifth or sixth book, but I am still hooked on this series and with the trajectory it is on, I doubt I will stop anytime soon. I am excited for what’s next!!
Review is based on advance reader's copy.
I have been a fan of the Orc Sworn series for a while now, and each new installment always manages to be my new favorite. Finley Fenn always manages to keep things refreshing with her carefully fleshed-out protagonists and their unique dynamics, while simultaneously keeping things comfortable with familiar themes of family and loneliness, and a formulaic plot.
I really enjoy how Fenn’s talents improve with each book. As The Midwife and the Orc is the sixth installment of this series, there was a lot to appreciate.
Gwyn is much more than just a woman who feels excluded in human society and mistreated by the men in her life. She has a palpable love for plants and compassion for the public health of women that feels very sincere. In addition, the narration navigates her anxiety disorder and self-harm without ever saying it forthrightly, which made it feel so much more raw and real. Be mindful of reading if these are triggers for you! What I loved the most about Gwyn was how sharp and intelligent she was. She easily sniffed out each plan the orcs devised and thwarted them. I lived for every second of it, and I know Joarr did, too, haha.
I absolutely loved Joarr. He is funny and playful. I think the last orc that was this lively was Natt in The Heiress and the Orc. It’s really refreshing from the last few orcs who have been more no-nonsense, so to speak (although they had their unique charms to them too). I loved the chemistry between Joarr and Gwyn. They shared a common passion, truly understood each other, and assisted each other in overcoming their personal struggles. It didn’t feel contrived or owed to biological/political impulses at all - it felt real, and I loved that.
And as usual, the steamy parts were, well, steamy as usual. Gwyn and Joarr’s emotional chemistry really amplified their physical intimacy.
Usually, I get tired of these formulaic steamy-romances by the fifth or sixth book, but I am still hooked on this series and with the trajectory it is on, I doubt I will stop anytime soon. I am excited for what’s next!!
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My favorite so far
I have absolutely loved this entire Series so far, but I think that this is honestly one of my favorites. Probably is my favorite lol. I thought the story was wonderful and, as always, there's that inner struggle that each one of them face. They face it within themselves and they face it together. I love it. My only complaint is that in the very beginning she is always yelling and acting like a harpy and gets "shrill".
*sigh* but yes, another wonderful orc tale! Bravo!
I have absolutely loved this entire Series so far, but I think that this is honestly one of my favorites. Probably is my favorite lol. I thought the story was wonderful and, as always, there's that inner struggle that each one of them face. They face it within themselves and they face it together. I love it. My only complaint is that in the very beginning she is always yelling and acting like a harpy and gets "shrill".
*sigh* but yes, another wonderful orc tale! Bravo!
this series is extremely repetitive
- fmc throwing tantrums bc mmc doesn't tell her everything, despite this being hypocritical bc she is also not entirely honest
- lack of communication
- even the ending resolutions feel super similar
glad to have finished this book so i can be done w this series