emmelnie's review
4.0
You can see the assurance in Wylde’s writing growing in Baruk the Cursed. There’s a greater strength to the heroine; particularly in the second half of the book, Jenna gains true agency and drives the action of the story much more. Baruk is a good soul, but he’s wounded by the loss of his first wife. His initial treatment of Jenna as a nanny to his young twins was a bit disingenuous when you know that the women meant for the orcs are to be treated as brides, so I wondered at how easily Jenna went along with that when Baruk basically dumped it on her. (And you have to wonder at Baruk’s parenting skills when he picks Jenna as a nanny because she “looks nice.” So much for job interviews! )
I liked that Wylde explained why orc children are wise beyond their years, or young Kore and Krul would have seemed way too distractingly mature. The secondary characters don’t appear that much, but they are well sketched out within their limited time on the page. The bad guy is pretty awful, and I do wonder at the orc tribes that blindly follow their leader even though said leader’s actions seem pretty crazy. And I’d like to see a tribe where the old ways of the orc world are put to the test against those of the new, instead of the struggle falling between tribes all the time.
I also liked that Baruk’s tribe lived in houses, not caves, and had found a true business in their woodcrafting skills. Seeing how each tribe in the books of Orc Mates has adapted to living on Earth is an asset to this series. I never feel like the tribes are the same from book to book.
There’s been a steady, expansive progression to Wylde’s books in this series, and I do love seeing an author grow and flex their writing muscles, so to speak. Baruk the Cursed is a nice addition to this series about orcs and humans adjusting to one another when they have no choice but to learn to live together.
I liked that Wylde explained why orc children are wise beyond their years, or young Kore and Krul would have seemed way too distractingly mature. The secondary characters don’t appear that much, but they are well sketched out within their limited time on the page. The bad guy is pretty awful, and I do wonder at the orc tribes that blindly follow their leader even though said leader’s actions seem pretty crazy. And I’d like to see a tribe where the old ways of the orc world are put to the test against those of the new, instead of the struggle falling between tribes all the time.
I also liked that Baruk’s tribe lived in houses, not caves, and had found a true business in their woodcrafting skills. Seeing how each tribe in the books of Orc Mates has adapted to living on Earth is an asset to this series. I never feel like the tribes are the same from book to book.
There’s been a steady, expansive progression to Wylde’s books in this series, and I do love seeing an author grow and flex their writing muscles, so to speak. Baruk the Cursed is a nice addition to this series about orcs and humans adjusting to one another when they have no choice but to learn to live together.
foesandlovers's review
2.0
2.5 STARS
Unfortunately, I ended up skimming the whole second half of the book. I was excited about this being about a silver fox Orc and was even more pleased to realize this was also a the single dad book, but the romance was extremely underdeveloped, they exchanged I love you's at like 46% even though they literally didn't know shit about each other, it felt rushed and lost my interest. Doesn't help that the sex was...eh...kinda boring? Normal? I expect more from monster romances when it comes to these things but the orcs here are more or less just green humans, womp womp.
Unfortunately, I ended up skimming the whole second half of the book. I was excited about this being about a silver fox Orc and was even more pleased to realize this was also a the single dad book, but the romance was extremely underdeveloped, they exchanged I love you's at like 46% even though they literally didn't know shit about each other, it felt rushed and lost my interest. Doesn't help that the sex was...eh...kinda boring? Normal? I expect more from monster romances when it comes to these things but the orcs here are more or less just green humans, womp womp.
leanner's review
5.0
I started this series four books in, but that's ok the story stands alone with enough information to catch up. I will find the time to go back and read the other three though.
Jenna has been through previous trauma, leaving her fragile and afraid. She makes a decision to do what she really doesn't want to but there are no choices left.
She really got what she didn't expect which was a safer option for her sanity.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this series, especially the children.
A fun fantasy read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jenna has been through previous trauma, leaving her fragile and afraid. She makes a decision to do what she really doesn't want to but there are no choices left.
She really got what she didn't expect which was a safer option for her sanity.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this series, especially the children.
A fun fantasy read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
delvie's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
You always gotta give books a fair shake, right? Well, I tried.
stormirdgz's review
adventurous
slow-paced
1.5
Cool concept, cool word, absolutely horrible execution. It needs editing, it has horrible pacing, a ridiculously unlikable heroine, and a romance that has NO chemistry.
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