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nymphie's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book was an emotional roller coaster from start to finish! The grumpy x grumpy dynamic mixed with the mutual pining? And fake dating?? Perfection. I have never enjoyed age gap romances, but Lyonne performed this trope exceptionally well, as always. I’m ecstatic and intrigued to see the world-building continuing to develop in this sixth installment after the mysterious discoveries in the previous book. I will never tire of this series and I’m constantly waiting for more!
singingshooter's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping and Forced institutionalization
chelles85's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
downthebookhole's review
3.5
A fun romp in the cold! I love how each of the books in this series is taking us to a different place! I loved the elements of the cold, icy mountains and fur! Simka was such a fiery and fierce little lady and wasn’t going to let anything get in her way. Both are so grumpy and I was so here for it. The age gap and tension between them fighting against being each other was well done. I was living for Simka being a virgin FMC but fully taking control or the big jaded and cranky troll!
p0lut0's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
A young human woman, Simka, on a fruitless rescue mission for her kidnapped sister teams up with a grouchy, old troll, Jar’kel to hunt down the orcs that raided her village. Along the way, the pair get a little cozy while playing the totally fake role of “mates”.
Thoughts:
- Very thorough yet seamless world-building; just enough information needed for the story with a little taste of the wider world
- Determined and capable female protagonist that does not suffer from either accidently-perfect-at-literally-everything syndrome or can-barely-tie-her-own-shoes disease
- Realistically and understandably tired and grouchy male protagonist that complements his female counterpart very well
- The main couple does fall prey to the miscommunication trope which can be frustrating if you’re not into that kind of thing
- The spicy scenes are hot, hot, HOT!
Thoughts:
- Very thorough yet seamless world-building; just enough information needed for the story with a little taste of the wider world
- Determined and capable female protagonist that does not suffer from either accidently-perfect-at-literally-everything syndrome or can-barely-tie-her-own-shoes disease
- Realistically and understandably tired and grouchy male protagonist that complements his female counterpart very well
- The main couple does fall prey to the miscommunication trope which can be frustrating if you’re not into that kind of thing
- The spicy scenes are hot, hot, HOT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
timap's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Simka, the female human lead, is a fierce, strong, determined female, fighting the restricted role her gender denotes. When her sister is stolen from the village, she’s determined to find her, even if their city “protectors” aren’t going to render assistance.
Jar’kel, the male troll lead, is cranky about being uprooted from his comfortable desert post and placed in this freezing wasteland. He’s very apathetic and just wants to be able to keep doing what he’s been doing.
When Jar’kel sees Simka set the mine he’s supposed to protect on fire, he asks why she did it, rather than turning her in. When he hears that she is pursuing the wild orcs, he volunteers to assist her because, if he can get the wild orcs dealt with, he’ll be able to return home. But when they come to the orc camp and find Simka’s sister alive, well, and mated, Simka is obliged to claim Jar’kel as her mate to save his life whilst they look for a way out. It’s just a pretence, neither of them are interested in the other after all…
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a great fantasy, age gap, troll/human romance that continues the series. I enjoyed Simka’s ferocity and intensity, how everything was extreme for her, including the negative emotions that beset her as she and Jar’kel struggled to negotiate their relationship. I enjoyed Jar’kel’s dawning awareness of the damage his actions and choices caused and were causing. I enjoyed their intimate moments and the rawness of the emotions both experienced. I enjoyed the world building and the non-romance plot. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and the variety of relationships the lead characters had with them.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Jar’kel, the male troll lead, is cranky about being uprooted from his comfortable desert post and placed in this freezing wasteland. He’s very apathetic and just wants to be able to keep doing what he’s been doing.
When Jar’kel sees Simka set the mine he’s supposed to protect on fire, he asks why she did it, rather than turning her in. When he hears that she is pursuing the wild orcs, he volunteers to assist her because, if he can get the wild orcs dealt with, he’ll be able to return home. But when they come to the orc camp and find Simka’s sister alive, well, and mated, Simka is obliged to claim Jar’kel as her mate to save his life whilst they look for a way out. It’s just a pretence, neither of them are interested in the other after all…
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a great fantasy, age gap, troll/human romance that continues the series. I enjoyed Simka’s ferocity and intensity, how everything was extreme for her, including the negative emotions that beset her as she and Jar’kel struggled to negotiate their relationship. I enjoyed Jar’kel’s dawning awareness of the damage his actions and choices caused and were causing. I enjoyed their intimate moments and the rawness of the emotions both experienced. I enjoyed the world building and the non-romance plot. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and the variety of relationships the lead characters had with them.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
wandering_seal's review
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
I read an advance copy of this - I'm just fascinated by Lyonne Riley's Trollkin world!I love how each story in this series gives us a bit more lore - we're slowly peeling away the mysteries one hot interspecies couple at a time.
I liked MMC Jar'kel's attitude in this story - yes he was grumpy, but he was also practical and pragmatic. He had good reasons not to want a mate that went beyond interspecies concerns, or the no longer war between them. FMC Simka was similarly prickly in a really appealing way, and I enjoyed the while this is an age gap romance, Simka is definitely a fully formed adult character.
There's a content note about the spice at the start of the book that I'd strongly recommend people look over - the action isn't exactly plain sailing (which is not to say they don't both have a good time). I'm all for the how will this fit dilemma!
I liked MMC Jar'kel's attitude in this story - yes he was grumpy, but he was also practical and pragmatic. He had good reasons not to want a mate that went beyond interspecies concerns, or the no longer war between them. FMC Simka was similarly prickly in a really appealing way, and I enjoyed the while this is an age gap romance, Simka is definitely a fully formed adult character.
There's a content note about the spice at the start of the book that I'd strongly recommend people look over - the action isn't exactly plain sailing (which is not to say they don't both have a good time). I'm all for the how will this fit dilemma!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War, Violence, Pregnancy, and Death
Minor: Torture, Death of parent, and Gore
randalena's review
adventurous
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Such a detailed story for not being super long. I felt like we got so much information, but nothing was overwhelming.
I did feel like Simka & Jar’kel fell into the lack of/miscommunication too often and too heavy. The angst of the story was more centered around outside forces and less their communication, so I think we could’ve seen a better, stronger bond between them if they had communicated with each other!
I do love the grumpy/grumpy couple though! I enjoyed how Simka was pretty determined and confident in her choices.
Her dad gets his own trophy for obnoxious side character, I was really hoping he would feel the mating pull to the prisoner, lol.
Overall another great addition to the Trollkin series!!
I did feel like Simka & Jar’kel fell into the lack of/miscommunication too often and too heavy. The angst of the story was more centered around outside forces and less their communication, so I think we could’ve seen a better, stronger bond between them if they had communicated with each other!
I do love the grumpy/grumpy couple though! I enjoyed how Simka was pretty determined and confident in her choices.
Her dad gets his own trophy for obnoxious side character, I was really hoping he would feel the mating pull to the prisoner, lol.
Overall another great addition to the Trollkin series!!
wendalorian's review
5.0
Oh my gosh, what an incredibly well done and amazing read that was.
I love the tropes in this book, the age gap was beautifully done.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and I was so invested in Jar’kel and Simka. The way the author handles their relationship was done in a way it’s believable and satisfying.
Riley’s storytelling and world building are so good, keeping me entertained from start to finish. Even though there’s a bit of hurt (luckily not a lot), there’s also a lot of comfort to make up for it.
If bonfire orgies, grumpy troll, virgin FMC, size difference, fake dating and age gap are your thing, you should run to get this book sooner rather than later.
Big thank you to Lyonne Riley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC.
I love the tropes in this book, the age gap was beautifully done.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and I was so invested in Jar’kel and Simka. The way the author handles their relationship was done in a way it’s believable and satisfying.
Riley’s storytelling and world building are so good, keeping me entertained from start to finish. Even though there’s a bit of hurt (luckily not a lot), there’s also a lot of comfort to make up for it.
If bonfire orgies, grumpy troll, virgin FMC, size difference, fake dating and age gap are your thing, you should run to get this book sooner rather than later.
Big thank you to Lyonne Riley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC.