X'nath

Dark Orcs of Helfallow

by Y.D. La Mar

In the shadowy depths of the mountains, X’nath, a cocky young orc from Helfallow, is on the hunt. His clan is desperate for females, and when he learns that a shipwreck have landed with captives, he sees the perfect opportunity to steal what they need. With his crew and giant weasels, he treks through treacherous swamps toward the ocean, where the prize awaits.

Along the way, X’nath encounters Gracie—unafraid, fierce, and determined to protect the other women. Her defiance draws him in, even as she pushes him away. As they journey deeper into the mountains, the tension between them grows, and their paths begin to cross in ways neither expects.

The women must adjust to their new lives among the orcs, some settling in quicker than others. One afternoon, a terrified scream shatters the calm. When a dangerous creature attacks while Gracie tries to save a companion, X’nath appears. In the chaos, as they fight for survival, the attack triggers Gracie's night terrors—haunting memories of the horrors she’s endured. The terror from the past grips her, and she struggles to keep her fear under control.

As X’nath fights by her side, something shifts between them—an undeniable spark neither can ignore. With danger closing in and their pasts haunting them both, they must decide if they can overcome their differences and forge a new bond, or if the weight of their histories will tear them apart.

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This book is part of the multi-author series, Dark Orcs of Helfallow, which includes books by Marina Simcoe, Sandra R Neeley, YD La Mar, and SJ Sanders.

In the world of Helfallow, Orcs are everywhere — ranging from the open plains to the towering mountains, from the jagged seaside cliffs to the shadowed depths of ancient forests. Brutality and domination are the law of the land, where survival is earned through strength and ferocity. The only question that which tribe will claim you as its captive?

Books releasing in December of 2024 are as
Agor, by Marina Simcoe
Valka, by Sandra R Neeley
X'nath, by YD La Mar
Daghel, by SJ Sanders

Each book is a standalone. It is not necessary to read them in a certain order.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2024

About the author

I'm a reader, first and foremost. Just like everyone else.

I love books that are just out there. From fluffy to pitch-black darkness. Monsters and aliens to the men who haunt your dreams painting the walls in red.

My love for reading and writing reviews has led me down the road of becoming a writer myself, thanks to the encouragement of others!

I'm not sure where this journey will lead me, but I hope I can breathe life into words the way so many others have done for me when I needed an escape.

Stalk me! https://ydlamar.carrd.co
www.ydlamar.com

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed it but it took way to long for them to discuss and talk to each other. bur other then that it was really good.

[SilentHeather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of X'nath and Gracy is a slow burn action adventure of an older human woman and a young orc man. X'nath is sweet, persistent, and prideful of his warrior skills in his youth while Gracey insists on being self reliant, and is head strong from experiences gained in her years-she refuses help, but always helps. It takes a moment to get to the spice and romance, with lots of chasing and wooeing, but it is hot and heavy when we arrive as X'nath tries to fill in Gracey's holes of insecurities, and be the Orc she can lean on (or face to sit on ✨️) when the walls she's built show signs on distress 🖤

[Michael Olsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Orc warrior filled with himself and on a mission meeting a strong woman that turns his world upside down. This book is filled with adventure gore romance and its a absolute joy to read. It made me shed tears as well as laugh out load so I tell you read it and follow this characters on a journey unlike anything you encountered. You would be glad you did another masterpiece from a wonderful author.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is an orc who is going to hunt for females as his tribes need them. He will meet her and she will fight him as she wants to save the others from the shipwreck. Life is going to get interesting for them both as they travel to the shipwreck. How will it all go for them? Where will they get on? See where they will go in this brilliant read

[MandyViolete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing Orc Love Story!

I love the strength of Gracie and watching her overcome her past; she got the most beautiful HEA! This book has lots of steam and action as our main characters dance around each other fighting their attraction

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

X’nath and Gracie

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with an interesting storyline and well done characters. I like how strong Gracie is and how she is determined to protect the other women no matter what. I also like seeing them adjust to living in the Orc clan, including her getting to know X’nath.

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the world of The Dark Orcs of Helfallow, we see that X’nath of the Savage Claw Clan, was ambition for his clan to grow and prosper beyond just beyond smashing skulls and raiding graves. The word had spread about a shipwreck and it was rumored to be carrying females. As the clan was getting smaller due to no available women. The warriors decided to go and see if they could find the women. The journey was not without many dangers. They did get to and rescue the women and one of them, Grace Thorn caught X’nath’s eye even through she was older than him, there was something about her that he found exciting. The trip back to the Savage Claw Clan’s home, was fraught with many dangerous, the swamp, the crone’s curse, the flight of dragons, but none held the same as winning over Grace. Grace’s past held much that had broken her ability to trust and love. This story shows how both men and women have to grow and change if they are to make family and develop in to an advanced culture. This was a wonderfully written story of courage, growth and a development of individuals, the writer has showed with such clarity how men and women interact and how each must give a little and “see” each other. There is many twists and turns in this story that keeps you rooted to see what happens next.

[Joy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

YD gives us a great book in the shared world of The Dark Orcs of Helfallow! We see X'nath rescue several human women with the help of several of his clan members. Gracie is one of the women saved and catches the eye of X'nath, but has to heal the wounds to her heart and soul before she can allow herself to be with him. I loved watching them both change and grow as they learned to care for each other. To find out how they get to the very satisfying HEA, dive into this wonderfully written book with complex characters and plot twists that keep you turning pages throughout! I highly recommend this book! Don't miss out on this book!!

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read in a shared universe and I loved seeing Gracie and X'nath circle around each other before succumbing to their connection. Gracie is a strong gal and has learned the hard way to rely only on herself. She has walls around her heart and has to heal before X'nath can convince her he's her perfect fit ;D These two both grow and change and finally learn to communicate with each other so that love can bloom. Expect complex characters, twists, action and steamy romance as they work to their fab HEA. Good fun!

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adventure of a read. I really enjoyed watching the women integrate into the Orc clan, developing confidence and new skills as well as finding love.
Also enjoyed Gracie and X'nath circle each other, getting to know each other and learn to communicate with each other, so many times I just wanted to shout at X'nath to just talk to Gracie and to listen to her too! But, I'm glad they got their act together in the end.

[Melissa Lalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

The savage claw clan is lacking female members to keep their lines going. When they hear of a shipwreck carrying females they set forth to claim them. Their victory is not without several obstacles. X’nath is a young orc warrior who sets his eyes on the fierce leader of the females, Gracie. He has a lot of growing to do in order to claim Gracie as his. Gracie for her part has to overcome her past to let X’nath close. This is a slow burn with a HEA.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like it.

I am over halfway in and Gracie keeps holding on to her secret. She is so mean to the main male character. Her secret of not being able to have children should have already been out. It was just stuck in a ditch and she refuses to give him a chance. I think it took way too long to get over that hurdle it just gets old. I would skip this one if I were you. It was just frustrating.

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like orcs then you will love this. The orcs do not have enough females to keep their population growing and Xnath is determined to help fix that problem when a crash lands him the females he needs. But he didn't expect to come across Gracie and very strong and determined protector. Their bond starts out slow and their are things that make their connection grow. Loved it.

[Laci Steimel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn, with X'nath being a mostly gentleman, and Gracy being extremely hesitant, within reason. I loved how sweet X'nath was, and how he did little things for Gracy without making a scene of it. Just quiet things in the background, but he was clear about his feelings. Loved the world building. The ending was fantastic, and I totally loved the surprise at the end. Cute read!

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous action, packed, steamy, orc romance. Gracie was strong, hesitant and determined, Xnath sweet. A wonderfully written, slow burn adventure with terrific world building and characters with many twists.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracie's story was so well told. I really enjoyed this story. The author did a great job bringing the characters to life. This story has it all. Steamy, yes! Action packed, yes! Earning four stars from me!

[Rebekah Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

slow burn that burned so good

This book was the absolute definition of a slow burn, but ohhh it was so worth it when everything fell together! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the rest of this shared world!

[꧁ᙏᗣᙃⱿꙆᗣ꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐
Too much dragging in the cold and warm 😏

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action, intrigue, drama,steam, interaction, and twists. Loved following along this well woven adventure and getting to know the characters, their challenges, and eventful lives.

[Trefoil · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I like how strong Gracie is. I feel.like something was kind of missing with this though ..and maybe his was dragging towards the end too.