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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Per the recommendation of @thenmaddieread, I started the series here.
This was a really weird reading experience for me in that I don't think I ever got a good lock on the characters, despite the middle being repetitious ad nauseam. Like, it's totally on me for going in without reading the blurb and knowing nothing about the series besides orcs, lots of semen, and Joarr purportedly being the least mean of the MLs, but the initial descriptions still had me starting out expecting Joarr to be a himbo. By 30% he was very clearly more of a mischievous, scheming Loki. Which, ok, cool dynamic, especially because Gwyn was calling him on it.
Theeeeen we entered this interminable middle where Gwyn discovers something Joarr didn't disclose, gets upset, and then... nothing. No character development, no changes in their interpersonal dynamic, just another sex scene after which she discovers something Joarr didn't disclose... You get my drift. Despite all this, I was rooting for Gwyn because she also has a devious brain that saw through layers of deception, and yet... she's also so naive in a too-stupid-to-live way. The juxtaposition was disorienting, honestly.
There's something here. Despite the ending being way too neatly resolved, if 100 pages were cut and there were more of an ongoing emotional arc instead of this repetition for L I T E R A L L Y hundreds of pages and then a blinding realization (given by the FRIEND, not even under her own merit) that oh, ok, maybe we should look at his actions in addition to what he's not saying... it could have been compelling. Or, better yet, dual POV! I would have LOVED to get inside that sneaky little brain of Joarr's, and it would have done wonders for building the tension throughout. Or, best yet... JUST TALK YOU DUMMIES!
Major props for how everything related to her midwifery profession was handled. That was a true joy to read.
This was a really weird reading experience for me in that I don't think I ever got a good lock on the characters, despite the middle being repetitious ad nauseam. Like, it's totally on me for going in without reading the blurb and knowing nothing about the series besides orcs, lots of semen, and Joarr purportedly being the least mean of the MLs, but the initial descriptions still had me starting out expecting Joarr to be a himbo. By 30% he was very clearly more of a mischievous, scheming Loki. Which, ok, cool dynamic, especially because Gwyn was calling him on it.
Theeeeen we entered this interminable middle where Gwyn discovers something Joarr didn't disclose, gets upset, and then... nothing. No character development, no changes in their interpersonal dynamic, just another sex scene after which she discovers something Joarr didn't disclose... You get my drift. Despite all this, I was rooting for Gwyn because she also has a devious brain that saw through layers of deception, and yet... she's also so naive in a too-stupid-to-live way. The juxtaposition was disorienting, honestly.
There's something here. Despite the ending being way too neatly resolved, if 100 pages were cut and there were more of an ongoing emotional arc instead of this repetition for L I T E R A L L Y hundreds of pages and then a blinding realization (given by the FRIEND, not even under her own merit) that oh, ok, maybe we should look at his actions in addition to what he's not saying... it could have been compelling. Or, better yet, dual POV! I would have LOVED to get inside that sneaky little brain of Joarr's, and it would have done wonders for building the tension throughout. Or, best yet... JUST TALK YOU DUMMIES!
Major props for how everything related to her midwifery profession was handled. That was a true joy to read.
Had a lot of potential but lost all palpable tension about 55% through. Womp womp. I appreciated the plant need aspect tho.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. It was still a decent story even if it fell short of my expectations.
If you like monster romance with a regency feel, this is the book for you. It's got:
-a FMC that doesn't fit inside her father's box
-a rugged orc love interest
If didn't quite hit all the right notes for me, however. It was a little too long. The beginning half had a bit of a wash, rinse, repeat feel to it. Also, there was so much miscommunication that I got frustrated with the FMC.
If you like monster romance with a regency feel, this is the book for you. It's got:
-a FMC that doesn't fit inside her father's box
-a rugged orc love interest
If didn't quite hit all the right notes for me, however. It was a little too long. The beginning half had a bit of a wash, rinse, repeat feel to it. Also, there was so much miscommunication that I got frustrated with the FMC.
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mood changed, will read again when mood suits.
yeah okay joarr is my favorite orc out of all the other mc orcs :')
This author has a major lying kink. She took "all men do is lie" and ran with it. I'm 5 books into this series so obviously it hasn't been a huge deterrent for me, but still very frustrating.
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy
I've never read an Orc story before, but I'm going to be looking for more of this type of read in the future. I'm also going to go back and read all the other books in this series. I'm slightly surprised by how much I liked it. I loved the heat level, and I'd say it's dirty in all the best ways, and I loved the romance as well. The characters were interesting and fun, and their connection was crazy good. I also love how much we see into who the characters are as individuals and the world building. I think I have a new obsession.