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isitcake's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Ok wow I was not expecting to like this book so much. Pretty good writing, good plot with intense emotional struggles for both characters. It was like Pride and Prejudice but with orcs.
Lady Jule is married to an abusive man, Lord Astin Norr. He leaves her in their undefended castle when its well-known orcs are pillaging around. Orcs attack and she sacrifices herself to protect her servants. She is taken to be the mate for Captain Grimarr, an orc who has quickly risen to lead all orcs.
We learn that human woman are unnaturally attracted to orcs in this universe; by their smell, huge orc dicks, and their sweet "honey tasting" buckets of semen. This was the grossest part of this book/series lol. The orcs drip semen when aroused nonstop and by the time they cum, the woman has GEYERS of cum coming out of her. So gross lol.
Jule finds herself attracted to Grimarr and craves him even as she tries to resist, and tries to think how she can plot revenge. However, Grimarr constantly publicly humiliates her and degrades her, treats her like a servant (forcing her to cook for hours nonstop) and then afterwards he threatens to take away her clothes permanently to humiliate her. This is her breaking point and she mentally disassociates from her body. There's a really sad scene where he takes her, and while she bodily gets pleasure from it she is mentally shutdown. This is the breaking point for Grimarr too. He wants a wife who loves him. And this is when he reveals she's 1 week pregnant. Jule realizes the power she has now over them and threatens to self-abort. Grimarr makes her a deal to give him 40 days to do a complete turnaround and treat her like a mate should be treated.
Again, this is erotica so the world building was unexpected. There are only like 1000 orcs left in the realm. I guess all orcs are male?? I guess they need human woman to reproduce. I also didn't fully understand the orc's physical appearances. They had a lot of different races. Some were almost like gray humans, these were the scholars. Some seemed to have shamanic power? Lots of miners. Oh yea they all live underneath this mountain in dark tunnels. That's a point of contention between Jule and Grimarr, she demands to see the sun, to go outside.
Finally we learn Grimarr's backstory. His dad used to lead the orcs but after Grimarr was born he got greedy and started stealing other orc's women. None of his sons survived. There was lots of violence that divided the orcs. Finally Grimarr murdered him for the greater good. Grimarr's goal is to have peace between orcs and men, that's the only way they'll survive. He sends letters to meet with the 3 nearby Lords to broker peace. They sign a treaty but part of the deal is that Lord Norr wants his wife back, Jule. Even though Jule and Grimarr are in love, even though she's obviously pregnant with his orc-son, even though he knows Norr will kill his son and abuse Jule, he agrees (again, the greater good).
Lord Norr immediately horsewhips her in front of ~50 men. But once they're in the carriage, he threatens to stab her in the stomach right there, she stands up to him and asks to let her do it herself and instead kills him. As she's about to be murdered for her cousin Otto to get her land now, Grimarr she's up with a band of orcs to rescue her. They also enforce the peace treaty.
The book ends with 2 human woman have also moved in (the next books in the series) and Jule gives birth to their son, Tenjil, who is prophesized to be an orc king.
We learn that human woman are unnaturally attracted to orcs in this universe; by their smell, huge orc dicks, and their sweet "honey tasting" buckets of semen. This was the grossest part of this book/series lol. The orcs drip semen when aroused nonstop and by the time they cum, the woman has GEYERS of cum coming out of her. So gross lol.
Jule finds herself attracted to Grimarr and craves him even as she tries to resist, and tries to think how she can plot revenge. However, Grimarr constantly publicly humiliates her and degrades her, treats her like a servant (forcing her to cook for hours nonstop) and then afterwards he threatens to take away her clothes permanently to humiliate her. This is her breaking point and she mentally disassociates from her body. There's a really sad scene where he takes her, and while she bodily gets pleasure from it she is mentally shutdown. This is the breaking point for Grimarr too. He wants a wife who loves him. And this is when he reveals she's 1 week pregnant. Jule realizes the power she has now over them and threatens to self-abort. Grimarr makes her a deal to give him 40 days to do a complete turnaround and treat her like a mate should be treated.
Again, this is erotica so the world building was unexpected. There are only like 1000 orcs left in the realm. I guess all orcs are male?? I guess they need human woman to reproduce. I also didn't fully understand the orc's physical appearances. They had a lot of different races. Some were almost like gray humans, these were the scholars. Some seemed to have shamanic power? Lots of miners. Oh yea they all live underneath this mountain in dark tunnels. That's a point of contention between Jule and Grimarr, she demands to see the sun, to go outside.
Finally we learn Grimarr's backstory. His dad used to lead the orcs but after Grimarr was born he got greedy and started stealing other orc's women. None of his sons survived. There was lots of violence that divided the orcs. Finally Grimarr murdered him for the greater good. Grimarr's goal is to have peace between orcs and men, that's the only way they'll survive. He sends letters to meet with the 3 nearby Lords to broker peace. They sign a treaty but part of the deal is that Lord Norr wants his wife back, Jule. Even though Jule and Grimarr are in love, even though she's obviously pregnant with his orc-son, even though he knows Norr will kill his son and abuse Jule, he agrees (again, the greater good).
Lord Norr immediately horsewhips her in front of ~50 men. But once they're in the carriage, he threatens to stab her in the stomach right there, she stands up to him and asks to let her do it herself and instead kills him. As she's about to be murdered for her cousin Otto to get her land now, Grimarr she's up with a band of orcs to rescue her. They also enforce the peace treaty.
The book ends with 2 human woman have also moved in (the next books in the series) and Jule gives birth to their son, Tenjil, who is prophesized to be an orc king.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Rape, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
unusablebooklore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was my first Orc book. I was heavily influenced via social media. I cannot be mad. This book lived up to all the hype.
Kidnapping of a headstrong Lady MC, sexy mate magic, an unusual take on forced proximity; not to mention the spice. This book excelled in a lot of ways. I appreciated the level of emotion used to help the reader really commit to the cause of the Orc's, not too heavy but just enough to make me want to read the remainder of the series.
My biggest issue was that the MC seemed utterly irrational the first half of the book. It made it difficult to really dig in and like her until the second half. However, her Orc Grimarr was truly excellent.
Kidnapping of a headstrong Lady MC, sexy mate magic, an unusual take on forced proximity; not to mention the spice. This book excelled in a lot of ways. I appreciated the level of emotion used to help the reader really commit to the cause of the Orc's, not too heavy but just enough to make me want to read the remainder of the series.
My biggest issue was that the MC seemed utterly irrational the first half of the book. It made it difficult to really dig in and like her until the second half. However, her Orc Grimarr was truly excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Pregnancy
thatfabchick's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love the writing in the book. With that in mind this author can right some really rude women. I mean the stuff that came out of this women’s mouth I was very very much upset. Like they way she talked to these orcs but would NEVER EVER TALK TO HUMAN MEN THAT WAY. Unacceptable. Also the last 20% is trash, completely threw in a wrench that was unnecessary. Just two toxic people in love. Ugh 😣 .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and War
essie__reads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
This review contains spoilers!!!
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The bad: the amount of fluids and descriptions was both unnecessary and uncalled for.
The amount of times Jule describes the orc as ugly and hideous while begging him to fuck her was a bit ridiculous and comical to me as a reader. The amount of time it took for them to actually fall in love was a bit too drawn out in my opinion. The way orcs are exhibitionist and that was not a well-known fact to the humans- I felt like that should have been more well-known.
The good:
I surprisingly loved this book. The author writes beautifully and it had so many themes about discrimination and judgement of those who are different than us, that can be applied to real life. The plo twist near the end was one I genuinely did not expect. The steam was great, and it was consensual sex. Great character development and growth!
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The bad: the amount of fluids and descriptions was both unnecessary and uncalled for.
The amount of times Jule describes the orc as ugly and hideous while begging him to fuck her was a bit ridiculous and comical to me as a reader. The amount of time it took for them to actually fall in love was a bit too drawn out in my opinion. The way orcs are exhibitionist and that was not a well-known fact to the humans- I felt like that should have been more well-known.
The good:
I surprisingly loved this book. The author writes beautifully and it had so many themes about discrimination and judgement of those who are different than us, that can be applied to real life. The plo twist near the end was one I genuinely did not expect. The steam was great, and it was consensual sex. Great character development and growth!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
jburson's review against another edition
DNF'd this earlier this year then picked it back up because it kept showing up on so many monster romance lists. Annnnd DNF'd it again. Maybe if this were pure erotica it would work for me but it's too long and dragging to be trying to be anything but romance & I just couldn't get invested in round after round of humiliation and abuse of the MC with the assumption that at some point I'm supposed to root for her to fall in love with her abuser?? No thanks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
goodjollymissmolly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
attemptingtoamanda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ACH!! This cursed book!! 😍😍😍
Absolutely no one warned me that orc mountain had the potential to make me tear up!! 😭 You monstrous beasts! 😈
This one may not be for everyone bc there are def some brutal moments, discussion of past trauma, & some gRaPhiC sex scenes that nearly drown you ☔️ BUT I’ll be damned if this book didn’t *bodily* grab me & my heart by the throat!!!! 🥵
The story, the character growth, the quantity AND quality of steam, the orc culture & community, even the freaking orc mountain all won me over!!! 🥰🥰🥰
If you can make it through the first 1/2, I promise the payoff is *MWAH* 👩🏻🍳💋
I can confirm that this is an essential required read for monster lovers & fu€ker$ across the realms!! ✨
CW/TW: kidnapping, emotional abuse, graphic sexual content, discussion of infertility & abortion, pregnancy & child birth, body shaming, child abuse, domestic abuse.
Absolutely no one warned me that orc mountain had the potential to make me tear up!! 😭 You monstrous beasts! 😈
This one may not be for everyone bc there are def some brutal moments, discussion of past trauma, & some gRaPhiC sex scenes that nearly drown you ☔️ BUT I’ll be damned if this book didn’t *bodily* grab me & my heart by the throat!!!! 🥵
The story, the character growth, the quantity AND quality of steam, the orc culture & community, even the freaking orc mountain all won me over!!! 🥰🥰🥰
If you can make it through the first 1/2, I promise the payoff is *MWAH* 👩🏻🍳💋
I can confirm that this is an essential required read for monster lovers & fu€ker$ across the realms!! ✨
CW/TW: kidnapping, emotional abuse, graphic sexual content, discussion of infertility & abortion, pregnancy & child birth, body shaming, child abuse, domestic abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Pregnancy
grilledcheesd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
i'm gonna be honest i almost dnf'd this book about 30% in. i'm glad i finished it, but also i kinda wanna smack grimarr up the side of his damn head. but i'll probably continue the series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Kidnapping
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility
rowanfaet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The main character was... very frustrating for most of the book. But, the last third of the book saved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia and Abortion
words_and_dreams's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion