Horde

Outsider #5

by Aiden Phoenix

A monster horde descends on Terana Province, threatening the town and Dare's family at Nirim Manor.

He's joined the strongest guards and adventurers available to face the threat, but even the mustered strength of the province might not be enough. Even worse, monsters are only the most immediate threat to his family.

He's made a powerful enemy in his struggle to protect his loved Sir Ollivan Harling, nephew to the Duke of Bastion. They're all waiting tensely for the other shoe to drop if the man finally makes a move. Dare will need to be stronger and more cunning than in any challenge he's yet had to face, and rely on the friends and loved ones he's found along the way. As well as new friends and lovers he'll meet as he fights to protect his family.

All Dare's allies warn him Ollivan is untouchable. But if the corrupt knight comes looking for trouble, he's going to learn he made a terrible mistake in threatening the family of Darren Portsmouth of Earth.

Be Horde is part of a harem series and features numerous explicit romantic scenes involving multiple partners. It is intended for adults.

Genres: Fantasy, Harem

359 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
Horde by Aiden Phoenix is the fifth entry in the Outsider series, published September 1, 2023. This volume is where long-building threats finally collide: a massive monster horde threatens Terana Province, political danger sharpens into personal vendetta, and Dare’s role as protector, leader, and father-to-be is tested harder than ever. While still firmly a harem fantasy with explicit content, Horde leans more heavily into action, danger, and consequence than several previous entries.

Plot Summary
A monster horde marches toward Terana Province, threatening both the town and Dare’s home at Nirim Manor. Dare joins the strongest guards and adventurers available, knowing full well that even their combined strength may not be enough to stop what’s coming.

At the same time, a far more personal threat looms. Dare has made a powerful enemy in Sir Ollivan Harling, nephew of the Duke of Bastion—an untouchable noble whose corruption, cruelty, and sense of entitlement have already caused immense harm. While everyone warns Dare to let it go, he knows that predators don’t stop unless they’re made to.

The book balances large-scale combat, political danger, and personal revenge with continued relationship growth, new lovers, and the ongoing challenge of protecting a growing family in a world that does not forgive weakness.

The Author
Aiden Phoenix continues to refine his formula: 
- escalating external threats 
- explicit harem dynamics 
- emotional loyalty 
- fast, readable pacing 
- light RPG progression 
- moral conflict rooted in Earth vs. fantasy-world values 

In Horde, Phoenix leans harder into action and consequence than in Nirim, while still maintaining the relationship-heavy structure that defines the series.

Characters
Dare: more decisive than before, but still wrestling with morality. In this volume, his protector instinct finally begins to override hesitation—especially when threats target his family directly. 
The family: now firmly established as Dare’s emotional anchor. Their presence raises the stakes of every fight. 
Sir Ollivan Harling: one of the series’ most hated antagonists—corrupt, protected by nobility, and terrifyingly realistic. His role adds genuine tension and catharsis. 
New companions and lovers: continue to expand the harem; reactions vary depending on reader tolerance for repetition vs. comfort reading.

As Kiba Snowpaw: this is where Dare finally starts acting like an Alpha under siege. When the den is threatened, hesitation fades—and that shift is deeply satisfying.

Structure
The book is structured around escalation:
1. Early action and preparation 
2. Rising tension from the incoming horde 
3. Political danger and personal vendetta 
4. Large-scale battles and coordinated defense 
5. Fallout, resolution, and setup for future arcs 

Compared to earlier entries, Horde is more focused and more event-driven, with fewer purely domestic slowdowns.

Themes & Analysis
Core themes include:
- defending home and family 
- leadership under siege 
- justice vs. law 
- power imbalance and corruption 
- revenge as protection, not ego 
- the cost of settling down 
- community vs. isolation 

One key thematic shift: Dare begins to accept that restraint is not always virtue. Some threats must be ended, not endured.

Scenes
Notable elements include:
- large-scale horde combat 
- coordinated defense with guards and adventurers 
- satisfying confrontations with a hated antagonist 
- dungeon exploration and ruins 
- frequent explicit romantic scenes 
- moments of humor amid tension 

The action scenes are among the strongest in the series so far, especially when the horde pressure peaks.

World-Building
The world expands through:
- provincial defense systems 
- noble politics and immunity 
- the reality of monster hordes 
- ruins and ancient dangers 
- the growing reputation of Dare and Nirim Manor 

The setting now feels less like a wandering adventure and more like a lived-in territory worth fighting for.

Praise & Critique
Strengths:
- strong action and pacing 
- real payoff for long-running antagonists 
- higher stakes than previous books 
- improved decisiveness from Dare 
- satisfying revenge arc 
- good balance between combat and relationships 

Weaknesses:
- harem scenes can feel repetitive 
- some readers feel the story is diluted by romance 
- RPG mechanics remain light 
- certain emotional conflicts repeat familiar beats 
- not everyone enjoys the shift toward domestic responsibility 

Comparison
Compared to Nirim:
- more action-focused 
- higher external stakes 
- less slice-of-life downtime 
- clearer antagonist resolution 
- stronger sense of momentum 

Within the harem LitRPG/gamelit space, Horde stands out more for its emotional loyalty and protective themes than for mechanical depth.

Personal Evaluation
As Kiba Snowpaw, this is the book where I finally felt Dare step into the role he’s been circling since Book 1. When monsters march and nobles threaten the den, an Alpha does not ask permission—he acts. Horde delivers that shift. It isn’t perfect, but it is satisfying, cathartic, and more confident than several earlier entries.

Conclusion
Horde is a strong, action-heavy installment that pays off long-running threats while pushing the series into a more dangerous and decisive phase. Fans invested in Dare’s family, territory, and reputation will find this entry rewarding, even if the harem elements remain a mixed bag depending on taste.

Rating: 8.0/10 — A high-stakes, action-forward entry with real consequences, solid momentum, and long-awaited payoff against a deeply hated foe.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

more the same

There is a line in here that says “it would make a great story if developed and fleshed out” and I agree!!! In fact I’d apply that sentiment to the entire series. Mostly I skip over huge sections of the immature, unrealistic relationships. The only parts of the story I enjoyed were the horse fight at the start, how he dealt with the jerk knight, and maybe the dwarf ruins - but that part had too many allusions to Lord of the Rings.

[angel romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Feel Cheated

This is my own personal opinion that I don’t want the author to take into consideration when writing the sequels, and this will have spoilers. Outside the obvious harem aspect I don’t know why this story needs to be told. It feel like the story we’ve all lived and heard a million times, so much so nobody has bothered to write it. The character has a ton of potential, all kinds of goals, and has plenty of talent, but then starts settling down due to an early pregnancy all the people he began the journey with settling down. While I understand that the classic op character goes on a journey to save the world and has increasing higher and higher stakes has been written a billion times there’s a reason for it. It’s an enjoyable and exciting tale of something that can only be fantasized about. Which is what this book doesn’t feel like. I feel like I’ve been baited with the classic tale and given enough of it to continue reading, but it’s a slice of life that everyone’s lived through and experienced nothing fantastical. Other may be fine with that and I’m sure the author will keep trickling in those moments of excitement, but it never builds to something I can care about. I’ll still read the next one because I’m invested, but at least now I know what I’m in for and will set expectations accordingly. I want to reinforce the message though that this isn’t a bad book it’s just misleading story.

[Daniel T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series

Dare and his wives have built a wonderful life for themselves at Niram Manor. After taking care of an evil and vindictive knight, life has settled to adventuring, leveling and steamy nights with his lovely wives. Dare's reputation is growing as an adventurer. Looking forward to the next book!

[Chris Fonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Adventure

What I liked about Horde, is that you felt like you were in the adventure, not only that you had a harem of beauties but also troubles within your personal feelings and realizing Having a family slows down your dreams but with support you can still accomplish those dreams.
Thank you Aiden Phoenix for Helping me be apart of an amazing adventure in collisia

[Damian Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

proper harem litrpg

I would definitely recommend this series to harem litrpg readers it’s about par with herald of shalia I gave a good review on I will continue to read this series to the end. The shows he knows a thing or two about a proper harem book should be and does try to balance the story and harem sexual content so all in all 5 stars from me

[Tracy S McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun series!!

Please try of adventures, humorous incidents and progressive growth to keep anyone entertained!!! The MC is definitely one lucky individual to find twins in a storm lol!!

[Bruce Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story

A rollicking fun story with more than enough nookie for any adolescent boy. Fast paced and read in just a few hours. The author has continued to avoid slumping in each book as the story progresses.

[Colette Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun adventures!

I enjoyed the exploration and battles in this book. They are frequent and innovative. The harem scenarios are repetitive after a while, but the introduction of new characters is exciting. Anticipating the next book!

[Irizumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem in this series

Overall another great book and am happy to see that another is coming along soon. Lots of more great stories to read in this series so am excited for many more to come.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read but….

I really like the story so far but I wish this were not a harem novel with a side story. The first couple books were story plus harden now it feels like the opposite. Kind of a shame. Still enjoy but not as much

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was quite a ride

As good or maybe even better than the previous books in the series, with some epic fights and new friends, a few jokes that made me laugh out loud ( specially one that references a certain singer from our world ). Going straight on to book 6

[Travis Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the series but

I still think Dare was right to be angry at how casually the women in his life manipulate him into marrying a complete stranger honestly I don't see how the mermaid adds anything to the story except as a further distraction to Dare.

[Brian M · Rating 5 out of 5]

solid book 5

Good fights and more exploring. His friends are growing as he is and some hard choices were made. Interesting to see how he copes.

[Kris Solstice · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book just wish there was some other people that where part of the main fighting team

[Raven Tubre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge is sweet

Glad to see some story arcs tied up and new ones beginning. Can't wait to see what happens to Dare as he transitions to the next stage of leveling.

[Genielle Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series. Although I will say 9 inches is decent, but not the biggest I've seen

[Desert Lumens · Rating 1 out of 5]

EDIT: DROPPED THIS STORY, IN BOOK SIX THE MC IS TURNED INTO A CUCK AND WAS BETRAYED AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH HIS PREGNANT LOVER HAVING SEX WITH ANOTHER MAN UNDER HIS ROOF WHILE HE PROVIDES A ROOM, FOOD, LIQUOR FOR THE MAN AND HIS PARTY WHILE HIS LOVER GETS POMMELED WILLINGLY AND SHE HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT HOW THE MC FEELS OR THINKS. BE WARNED.