noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings: Malnourishment, whipping, mention of sexual assault, death of an animal, and explicit sexual scenes.
I loved book one with the Khal Drogo vibes but I have to say I enjoyed book two more since we get dual narratives! Getting to hear all of Elle and Seerin’s inner thoughts was so much better than just having a single narrative.
In CLAIMED BY THE HORDE KING, we meet Elle who has led a rough life. Having lost both her parents at a young age she’s grown up being treated as an outsider in her own village. Constantly on the verge of starvation Elle has had to barter for food by using her skills of hunting. Every human on Dakkar knows that hunting has been forbidden, from them, and the punishment is death if caught but Elle has no other way, that she’s willing, to barter for necessary food.
Seerin has always felt pressure to ensure his horde is happy and safe since he was made a Horde King. Traditionally one is only made a Horde King if they come from a line of Kings and if they pass a series of trials. Seerin’s mother, who was a sex worker, caught the eye of their leader and convinced him to allow Seerin to take the trials even though he lacked the traditional lineage. Though he passed all the necessary tests, which means no one could ever take his title from him, Seerin feels pressure to ensure he never does anything that could cause shame, or harm, to his horde.
Though Elle and Seerin come from different cultures and species, they’re kindred souls who share a lot of the same experiences of feeling othered by those around them.
I adored this story so much, seeing Elle and Seerin open up to each other, learn to trust one another, and fall in love made me so happy. If you’re looking for an entry into alien romance, or if you have a thing for barbarian alpha men, I highly recommend giving this series a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Animal death
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
now_booking's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This series has been my first foray into alien-esque romance and let me just say, I’m a fan! Nelle and Seerin’s story was EVERYTHING! If you’re a fan of Julie Garwood’s medieval romances, this book was very reminiscent of those- and even though these aren’t historical romances, there is definitely a primal, historical vibe about them.
The premise is similar to the first book in that Nelle, a human refugee more or less isolated by her community, breaks a rule of the planet she’s on and Seerin, a horde king comes to punish her. Somehow, he sees something in her that makes him decide to reduce her sentence and take her back to his horde. Thus begins this moderately slow burn as they begin to get to know and understand each other and themselves. This is an adorable romance with lots of good hero apologizing and acknowledging when he is wrong. It also features an open, curious and yet pragmatic heroine. There is some punitive violence against the heroine by the hero at the start (when they are still strangers at the very beginning) but it makes sense in the context in which it happens and they do address it. I really enjoyed this and I recommend this series!
The premise is similar to the first book in that Nelle, a human refugee more or less isolated by her community, breaks a rule of the planet she’s on and Seerin, a horde king comes to punish her. Somehow, he sees something in her that makes him decide to reduce her sentence and take her back to his horde. Thus begins this moderately slow burn as they begin to get to know and understand each other and themselves. This is an adorable romance with lots of good hero apologizing and acknowledging when he is wrong. It also features an open, curious and yet pragmatic heroine. There is some punitive violence against the heroine by the hero at the start (when they are still strangers at the very beginning) but it makes sense in the context in which it happens and they do address it. I really enjoyed this and I recommend this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal death
folkofthebook's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Beautiful and emotional love story between two souls who’ve seen some shit. This series is my new IPB-esque palate cleanser / escapism romance read.
Fair warning, if you don’t like pregnancy plots you may not love this series overall (not central but similar to Ice Planet Barbarians)
Fair warning, if you don’t like pregnancy plots you may not love this series overall (not central but similar to Ice Planet Barbarians)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Suicide
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