lacee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, Torture, Grief, Confinement, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Blood, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Animal death, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, War, Abandonment, Abortion, Infertility, Animal death, Miscarriage, Grief, Slavery, and Sexual violence
kewl_kyle's review
adventurous
tense
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? No
3.0
ellie_klemm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
2.5
koops333's review against another edition
4.0
“We move forward together,” he said, gentling his hold upon her hand. “Or not at all.”
Love me a good orc x human pairing, and Bolthorn was a major sweetheart!
Looking forward to where the next story will go for this couple
erica32paulk's review against another edition
3.0
Oh well forbidden love don't get me wrong it's by far the best kind and what better way to experience that in having to different species weave together. To start the writing for me was a bit choppy skipping days and sometimes not knowing how long. It did bounce between both of the main characters perspectives but I did enjoy this part of the narration. My biggest pet peeve was about 4 different names in the book I would read and would think that's a person?...no wait a place? It was very confusing to me even towards the end of the book. It was just the way they were said even in the same paragraph I would bounce back and forth from place to name. Of course at the end the last chapter I found a key chart. I did enjoyed the characters not everything was perfect and not everyone welcomed her with open arms but that's the way it should be. I get sick and tired of the literature tropes which state that couples should be destined for one another and everyone should be happy for them. So I was pleased about that. I'm not sure why but the two traveling was by far my favorite part even though she was freezing to death I thought it was the only time they got some freaking relief. The last thing that threw me off from giving this a 4th star was the customs of the Orcs wasn't explained very well. Really much of anything was their clothes religions it all felt very bare. This story had a good starting point the cover alone drew me in but the story lacked luster. I would think Orc tribes would be rich with customs and stories unlike our own Native American tribes full of color and dancing. Just to sum it all up enjoyed the beauty and the beast side immensely, the plot was a bit confusing as to the names, the story need more color more growth. It was so close.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Seriously. Clear your reading schedule for April 1st and snatch this one up as soon as you possibly can.
Arianna may be a princess, but she's grown up being viewed as purely a tool for the king's use. Mocked, belittled, and humiliated she seeks refuge in the forbidden rooms that used to be her mother's. When she finds Bolthorn, an orc trapped in a magic mirror, Arianna is struck by his strength and his sense of honor. And she begins to see a glimmer of hope that perhaps they could save each other. But escaping the castle could only be the beginning of all of their troubles. Do they have enough faith to survive or will their differences shatter any hope of freedom?
Dillin crafts a world that is rich in detail and peopled with a cast of characters that leap off the page and grab hold of your imagination. In the vein of Tolkien, Honor Among Orcs is a high fantasy filled with danger, intrigue, magic, and love that you will want to read again.
And I can't wait for the next book to come out!
Full disclosure: I received an advanced reader copy of this for review, but my review was in no way influenced by this fact.
Arianna may be a princess, but she's grown up being viewed as purely a tool for the king's use. Mocked, belittled, and humiliated she seeks refuge in the forbidden rooms that used to be her mother's. When she finds Bolthorn, an orc trapped in a magic mirror, Arianna is struck by his strength and his sense of honor. And she begins to see a glimmer of hope that perhaps they could save each other. But escaping the castle could only be the beginning of all of their troubles. Do they have enough faith to survive or will their differences shatter any hope of freedom?
Dillin crafts a world that is rich in detail and peopled with a cast of characters that leap off the page and grab hold of your imagination. In the vein of Tolkien, Honor Among Orcs is a high fantasy filled with danger, intrigue, magic, and love that you will want to read again.
And I can't wait for the next book to come out!
Full disclosure: I received an advanced reader copy of this for review, but my review was in no way influenced by this fact.
yossarianliving's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating lore, forbidden romance, slow build - but it stays slow, even for plot twists and action.
faithlessone's review against another edition
5.0
I was super lucky enough to be given a Advance Copy of this book, and it is FANTASTIC.
I won't give too much away in this review, because I read it with only the barest blurb, no idea where it would go or how it would end, and I think that's the best way to read such a wonderful, thrilling story. Once again, Amalia Dillin has created a magical world that jumps off the page, populated with characters that will make you happy, make you sad, and make your skin crawl.
You will laugh.
You will cry.
You will fall in love. Multiple times.
If you like fantasy, magic, romance, adventure, monsters or princesses, this is the book for you.
I won't give too much away in this review, because I read it with only the barest blurb, no idea where it would go or how it would end, and I think that's the best way to read such a wonderful, thrilling story. Once again, Amalia Dillin has created a magical world that jumps off the page, populated with characters that will make you happy, make you sad, and make your skin crawl.
You will laugh.
You will cry.
You will fall in love. Multiple times.
If you like fantasy, magic, romance, adventure, monsters or princesses, this is the book for you.