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Orc Matched
Rhuger's Cridhe
"My soul ached and bled and tore at seeing my other half so hurt. There was nothing I could do for him right now. And it
ate me alive inside
."
The thrilling sequel to Rhuger’s Pearl .
AMELIA
With Rhuger and I finally letting go of our insecurities and becoming mates, I thought I would be free of Rìgh Orok's slimy grasp. Boy, was I wrong. Captured, beaten, and bound, I was forced to sit before Rìgh Orok on the ride to the Oc'Turin lands. When we finally arrived, Rìgh Orok was hailed a hero, Rhuger labeled a villain, and our baby growing in my belly laid claim to by our captor. Rìgh Orok thinks he can break me to his cruel will. But I've already survived his kind once before, and I'll do it again.
Would Rhuger and I be able to survive the treacherous halls of the Oc'Turin clan, our bond holding true? Or would everything I'd ever wanted and needed be ripped from me forever? Regardless of what the fates decreed, nothing and no one would stand between Rhuger and me. Our future was too bright to be snuffed out by the likes of Rìgh Orok. And I was far more deadly than my soft appearance made me seem.
RHUGER
Pain was an old friend. Rìgh Orok had his bastard warriors beat me, whip me, and break me any way they could while I was forced to walk barefoot all the way to the Oc'Turin capital of Clach-tholl. My pearl, my mate, and cridhe rode at the front of the line, seated before my nemesis. Thoughts of shredding his guts for daring to touch my mate kept me focused and conscious. Rage was too soft a word for what I felt toward the wretched Rìgh, and he would pay the ultimate price for putting his claws on Amelia.
But what would happen once Rìgh Orok was dead? Would the Oc'Turin welcome me back as their Rìgh? Or would they put me down like a rabid animal? Even if Amelia and I survived this, the challenges that lay before us were daunting. One thing I knew for certain. Rìgh Orok would be defeated and I would claim my cridhe, would see our bairn enter the world. No matter the cost.
This is an 94,000 word, full-length, slow-burn, sci-fi alien orc romance with a plus-sized sunshine autistic FMC, grumpy morally grey MMC, intense world-building, epic fantasy, plenty of simping, hurt/comfort, who hurt you?, fated mates, lots of smashing, and a guaranteed HEA.
The Content Awareness section is on the author’s website and at the back of the book.
The thrilling sequel to Rhuger’s Pearl .
AMELIA
With Rhuger and I finally letting go of our insecurities and becoming mates, I thought I would be free of Rìgh Orok's slimy grasp. Boy, was I wrong. Captured, beaten, and bound, I was forced to sit before Rìgh Orok on the ride to the Oc'Turin lands. When we finally arrived, Rìgh Orok was hailed a hero, Rhuger labeled a villain, and our baby growing in my belly laid claim to by our captor. Rìgh Orok thinks he can break me to his cruel will. But I've already survived his kind once before, and I'll do it again.
Would Rhuger and I be able to survive the treacherous halls of the Oc'Turin clan, our bond holding true? Or would everything I'd ever wanted and needed be ripped from me forever? Regardless of what the fates decreed, nothing and no one would stand between Rhuger and me. Our future was too bright to be snuffed out by the likes of Rìgh Orok. And I was far more deadly than my soft appearance made me seem.
RHUGER
Pain was an old friend. Rìgh Orok had his bastard warriors beat me, whip me, and break me any way they could while I was forced to walk barefoot all the way to the Oc'Turin capital of Clach-tholl. My pearl, my mate, and cridhe rode at the front of the line, seated before my nemesis. Thoughts of shredding his guts for daring to touch my mate kept me focused and conscious. Rage was too soft a word for what I felt toward the wretched Rìgh, and he would pay the ultimate price for putting his claws on Amelia.
But what would happen once Rìgh Orok was dead? Would the Oc'Turin welcome me back as their Rìgh? Or would they put me down like a rabid animal? Even if Amelia and I survived this, the challenges that lay before us were daunting. One thing I knew for certain. Rìgh Orok would be defeated and I would claim my cridhe, would see our bairn enter the world. No matter the cost.
This is an 94,000 word, full-length, slow-burn, sci-fi alien orc romance with a plus-sized sunshine autistic FMC, grumpy morally grey MMC, intense world-building, epic fantasy, plenty of simping, hurt/comfort, who hurt you?, fated mates, lots of smashing, and a guaranteed HEA.
The Content Awareness section is on the author’s website and at the back of the book.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2023
25 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Carlotta Hughes
8 books85 followersCarlotta Hughes is a giant orc-like lady living in Northern California with her four cats and enormous book collection. She wrote a creation story with a polar bear at age five and has been writing ever since. When not reading or writing, she can often be found exploring and generally being a bubbly gerblin hermit. She loves snackies, being warm, weapons, and snuggles.
Carlotta writes thorny, corny, horny stories with sassy one-liners, alt-human love interests, sexually frustrated characters, lots of simping and guaranteed HEA. Her stories tend to explore the spectrum of humanity including: disabilities, gender, sexuality, kinks, and survivorship.
You know, for science.
Carlotta writes thorny, corny, horny stories with sassy one-liners, alt-human love interests, sexually frustrated characters, lots of simping and guaranteed HEA. Her stories tend to explore the spectrum of humanity including: disabilities, gender, sexuality, kinks, and survivorship.
You know, for science.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 19, 2024
Didn’t connect
I read Hughes first book in this series when it was a part of a collection and liked it so I was excited when I saw that another had come out (the book before this one). I liked it well enough, though it was quite long. I did not connect to this one however. I feel like the story wasn’t cohesive and flowing, more like it was small chunks of stuff put in a certain order, if that makes any sense.
Like, there’s a story in the beginning when they get taken, then it’s all just sex, then it’s them traveling. I don’t know how to explain it but I just could not get into it to save my life after the first 1/3. I enjoyed the beginning and some of the spice, but it wasn’t written in a way that captured my attention and held it.
I read Hughes first book in this series when it was a part of a collection and liked it so I was excited when I saw that another had come out (the book before this one). I liked it well enough, though it was quite long. I did not connect to this one however. I feel like the story wasn’t cohesive and flowing, more like it was small chunks of stuff put in a certain order, if that makes any sense.
Like, there’s a story in the beginning when they get taken, then it’s all just sex, then it’s them traveling. I don’t know how to explain it but I just could not get into it to save my life after the first 1/3. I enjoyed the beginning and some of the spice, but it wasn’t written in a way that captured my attention and held it.
August 6, 2025
This felt...rushed. Most individual conflicts are solved within pages so there's not too much tension build up throughout the piece. We don't really get much payoff to all the world-building intrigue beyond Amelia going "You guys need to respect women!" And somehow most everyone acquiesces without much fanfare. If any of the books in this series needed to be 600+ pages, it's this one, and we just didn't get that. It looks like the author had planned to expand on this series, but those followups have yet to be published.
March 4, 2023
This was such a satisfying continuation to the story. Seeing Amelia and Rhuger continue to build their lives together was wonderful. And after the slow burn of the previous book, this one really turned up the spice. Two words: Mating. Frenzy. This one had everything I love about this series, a confident fmc, lots of diversity and representation, and swoon-worthy romance. I went through all the emotions while reading, and was left a gooey puddle of happiness at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2023
LOVE YA CARLOTTA HUGHES
you don’t understand when I found thorns and Ruth’s story I was attached and addicted and then the 2nd book came and I was so happy and now a 3rd book. You are one of my top favorite authors that write about orcs and also just a top favorite author in general. I will be so dearly sad whenever this series ends it needs to go on forever. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
you don’t understand when I found thorns and Ruth’s story I was attached and addicted and then the 2nd book came and I was so happy and now a 3rd book. You are one of my top favorite authors that write about orcs and also just a top favorite author in general. I will be so dearly sad whenever this series ends it needs to go on forever. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 21, 2024
I had such high hopes after reading book one and loving the slow burn in it but unfortunately for me, this second book didn’t really work. It was a whole lot darker with gore that I wasn’t a big fan of. I liked some of the plot conclusions but there were parts where I had to take a break and really think if I wanted to continue.
May 13, 2023
Totally EXCELLENT Again 😁
This series just keeps getting better and better 😃. Now that the gate is finally open, hopefully the males will get the chance to find their own human females😉. Thanks again Carlotta, I'm addicted to this story and can't wait to read more 🤓.
This series just keeps getting better and better 😃. Now that the gate is finally open, hopefully the males will get the chance to find their own human females😉. Thanks again Carlotta, I'm addicted to this story and can't wait to read more 🤓.
March 8, 2023
OMG, just finished Rhuger's cridhe, what a powerful book. First of all: Thorn and Ruth! Made me cry happy years there. Second: It was amazing to watch Amelia grow and reclaim her power. But what about the love story? Tantalizing, hot, sweet, filled with layers and depth. You are an incredible author and I can't wait to read more on this series
September 9, 2024
It is worth noting that this is more of a continuation of the previous book than a standalone. Rating it as such, I found it highly satisfying. I'm excited for the next one!
June 10, 2024
I complained about the 600+ page slow burn that was book one, still loved it though, and this sequel more than made up for that! Woah was this a delish six course smutty smutfest 🔥. We jump right in where we left off in 𝘙𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭 and then are thrown in a whirlwind of emotion, adventure, and politics.
All I can say is that I loved getting to know these characters more, I loved learning more about the culture and history of Talam, and I can’t wait to dive further into the story.
Seriously, that was some 5-star smut!! I needed a cold shower after that mating frenzy.
All I can say is that I loved getting to know these characters more, I loved learning more about the culture and history of Talam, and I can’t wait to dive further into the story.
Seriously, that was some 5-star smut!! I needed a cold shower after that mating frenzy.
August 4, 2023
in Carlotta we trust
I loved this. For all that Rhugers Pearl was a slow burn, this is not. This is multiple buckets full. Full review to come later.
I loved this. For all that Rhugers Pearl was a slow burn, this is not. This is multiple buckets full. Full review to come later.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews